The Dallas Cowboys need help. Sure, they were able to stem the tide with their 20-15 win over the New York Giants on Thursday, but things are far from okay. Dallas has two wins this season, against two teams that don’t seem very capable of winning many games as currently constituted.

They played against two teams that looked like rivals and were eliminated. Significant deficiencies occurred in four games. There is little depth behind All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb. The running backs move behind a work-in-progress offensive line and don’t break tackles. The defensive line seems incapable of stopping a top attack. Add it all together and what does it mean? Trade for help.

Picks are a commodity for the Cowboys more than most teams. Therefore, they are unlikely to want to part with something unless the price is in their favor. But with four 2025 comp picks, the Cowboys might be willing to part with any of those players who could help.

We first turned to the AFC North for help, where three of the four teams are under .500 entering the weekend. The same can be said about the AFC South, as only the Houston Texans look like legitimate playoff contenders. That means the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans may be willing to part ways with their soon-to-be free agents in exchange for draft compensation.

Here are five players the Cowboys should make a decision on to see if there is a trade that can be worked out.

WR DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10)

Hopkins is dealing with another underdeveloped quarterback, and the veteran simply doesn’t have much time left to waste in his career. Now in his 12th season, he bounced back in 2023, making 75 catches and surpassing 1,000 yards receiving for the seventh time in his career. Bringing him to Dallas would solve the issues Dallas has had with Brandin Cooks, even though the two are not similar in size or role. Combining Hopkins with Lamb and TE Jake Ferguson would give the Cowboys an impressive arsenal that Dak Prescott has at his disposal.

DT Taven Bryan, Indianapolis Colts

Christine Tannous USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Bryan has been a part-time starter since entering the league in 2018 and will hit free agency next summer. He would be a nice rotational pickup who could see some time at both positions, although he doesn’t have the prototypical size for a Mike Zimmer DT (6-foot-4, 291 pounds).

DE Dayo Odeyingbo, Indianapolis Colts

Dayo Odeyingbo, defensive end of the Indianapolis Colts (54)

Odeyingbo sits behind Kwity Paye in the rotation and has recorded 13.5 sacks over the last two seasons. In Dallas, he may be useful as a rotation 3-tech as opposed to an edge player, but he certainly offers more in both areas than draft classmate Chauncey Golston.

RB Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars

(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)

This is more of a pipe dream, but closed mouths will not be fed. The Jaguars owner said he expects a win now, the team is winless. They drafted an impressive Tank Bigsby last year and perhaps they would be interested in reacquiring a second-round pick for a talented defenseman who will need a second contract before the club becomes good again. If things continue to go south in Jacksonville, the Cowboys should be prepared to make an offer for the exciting dual-threat runner with two 1,000-yard rushing seasons and a fifth-year option for 2025.

RB D’Ernest Johnson, Jaguars

Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Most likely, the Jaguars will stick with Etienne. So if Dallas gets a rejection, they should focus on backup D’Ernest Johnson. He has proven over the years that he is a good defensive player, with a strong 3.07 yards after contact per attempt over his career, including 4.29 this season, albeit on just seven carries through the week 3.