Cowboys Boost Defense with Key Trades

The Dallas Cowboys have made some big moves to strengthen their defense. They traded for linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. from the Tennessee Titans and cornerback Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills. Murray, who is 26 years old, was picked in the first round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. He has made 416 tackles and 8. 5 sacks in his career. Last year, he had 95 tackles and 3. 5 sacks for the Titans. He is set to earn $5. 99 million this year, plus a $1 million roster bonus. The Cowboys had their eye on Murray before the 2020 draft, inviting him for a visit. They also signed linebacker Jack Sanborn to a one-year deal. Sanborn played three seasons under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The Cowboys needed linebacker help because DeMarvion Overshown is recovering from a serious knee injury, and Eric Kendricks is a free agent. They already have Marist Liufau and Damone Clark on the roster. The Cowboys also needed help at cornerback. Trevon Diggs is recovering from knee surgery and his return is uncertain. Elam, who was a first-round pick in 2022, has two career interceptions but has struggled with injuries and inactivity. The Cowboys are known for giving high draft picks a fresh start, hoping a change of scenery will boost their performance. The Cowboys were in talks with Brandon Stephens, a free agent cornerback from the Baltimore Ravens, but he chose to join the New York Jets. They might still look for more cornerback help, as they lost Jourdan Lewis to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Diggs has only played 13 games in the last two seasons due to injuries. His latest surgery could keep him out of some regular-season games. The Cowboys have a few other cornerbacks, including Andrew Booth, Kemon Hall, and Caelen Carson, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Elam, who is 24, is in the final year of his rookie contract. The Cowboys are hoping these trades will give their defense a much-needed boost.