The Dallas Cowboys remained silent during the NFL’s trade deadline, but there are still free agent options including a former New York Giants receiver. Dallas has been adamant that they didn’t need or want to make moves at the trade deadline, but it feels as if other teams got better while the Cowboys stayed at the same level.
In terms of cheap but high-ceiling options, there’s not many left at any position. But former Giants WR Kenny Golladay is worth considering. At one point circa 2019, Golladay was considered one of the best pass-catchers in the league. Now, he’s just looking to play as a free agent.
Dallas could essentially take a flyer on Golladay. There’s certainly no guarantee that he would find his previous form, but the Cowboys would likely be paying the veteran minimum for a player who just turned 30 and has twice crossed the 1000-yard mark as a receiver.
The Cowboys’ No. 2 and No. 3 options, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup, haven’t been a consistent presence opposite of CeeDee Lamb. The idea of signing Golladay isn’t necessarily about consistency either, but he just the chance of reigniting his career would drastically boost the capabilities of the Dallas offense.
As a 2017 third-round pick out of Northern Illinois for the Detroit Lions, there were expectations that Golladay could be a week-in, week-out NFL receiver and with the potential to be a starter. He soared past those expectations by Year 2 with the Lions.
After 28 receptions for 477 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, Pro Football Reference shows that he exploded for 70 receptions, 1063 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2018.
Golladay had announced himself in a big way, but 2019 was when he was at the peak of his powers. Averaging a whopping 18.3 yards per catch, the former Husky racked up 1190 receiving yards and an NFC-leading 11 touchdowns.
But as quickly as his career exploded, it almost as quickly deflated. Injuries hampered his 2020 season as he only played five games. Finally at the end of his rookie contract, Golladay signed with the Giants in free agency on a four-year, $72 million contract.
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