The Dallas Cowboys are a team always connected to high-profile players, whether free agents or players who could be traded. Brandon Aiyuk falls into the latter category of a player who could be traded, but would he be a fit for the Cowboys?
An upgrade of the receiver position, opposite CeeDee Lamb, would give the offense another playmaker capable of taking over the game.
Brandon Aiyuk’s 2023 Stats
Brandon Aiyuk had his best-receiving yard season with 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, nearly matching his career-high of eight.
He had the most targets (105) on the team and was the clear number-one receiver.
Aiyuk had a catch percentage of 71.4% which trumps the Cowboy’s number two receiver Brandin Cooks who caught 66.7% of his passes.
Having Aiyuk’s production opposite CeeDee Lamb, with Brandin Cooks in the slot would create matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
How would Brandon Aiyuk fit into the game plan?
Mike McCarthy’s West Coast offense is about quick passes, spreading the defense horizontally, fast QB reads and throws, gaining yards after the catch, and using a “horizontal” approach to open up downfield opportunities.
Brandon Aiyuk would fit seamlessly into the offense.
He had elite efficiency in his yards per route run of 3.25, only trailing Tyreek Hill.
Aiyuk is primarily being targeted as a downfield threat, as seen by his 12.8 yards per target.
Having a significant receiving threat opposite him could spread the field and lead to more explosive plays from an already dynamic player.
McCarthy’s offense is designed for a player like Aiyuk, who excels in gaining yards after the catch, just like his potential partner CeeDee Lamb.
What would it cost the Cowboys in a trade?
Historically, acquiring a top-tier receiver comes with a hefty price tag, except in the case of the Cowboys’ trading Amari Cooper.
A look into the trades of elite receivers shows impactful shifts.
Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams, for example, were traded and then inked record-breaking extensions with the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively.
The Dolphins sent five draft picks: a 2022 first-round pick (No. 29), second-round pick (No. 50), and fourth-round pick, plus fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2023 draft.
The Dolphins signed Hill to a four-year, $120 million extension, including $72.2 million guaranteed and also including $52.535 million at signing contract extension
The Raiders sent two draft picks: a 2022 first-round pick (No. 22 overall), and a second-round selection (No. 53 overall).
The Raiders signed Adams to a five-year contract averaging $28.5 million per season with $67.5 million fully guaranteed.
A first and second-round pick in next year’s draft might seal the deal, and Aiyuk would likely expect a substantial contract extension from the Cowboys.
Brandon Aiyuk is unhappy and Dallas is “All in”
A video posted shows Brandon Aiyuk telling Jayden Daniels via TikTok, “They said they don’t want me back… I swear.”
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk to Jayden Daniels, via his TikTok:
“They said they don’t want me back… I swear.”pic.twitter.com/2ln0dX2KGQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 17, 2024
The 49ers’ apparent willingness to part with their receiver might just be the break the Cowboys need.
The apparent discontent could be a ploy to get the 49ers to pay up and using social media is a tactic that could pay off for Aiyuk one way or the other.
To rally the fans after the “All in” statement, the Cowboys could certainly use this type of trade to ramp up the excitement.
Cowboys Cap Space
Achieving such a dream scenario would be incredible, yet the Cowboys’ roster is already packed with superstars who need their share.
The Cowboys have put Dak Prescott on the forefront of contract extensions, but he’s not the only player who needs to be signed to an extension.
We also have CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons waiting for their piece of the pie.
The Cowboys have been quite economical recently, yet historically, the front office has demonstrated an ability to perform some cap space wizardry.
Could Jerry and Stephen Jones fit all four players on the team with shiny new contracts?
The likelihood seems slim given our current front office, and at this stage, the specifics of the contracts for our three superstars remain unknown.
One thing is certain with the Cowboys: anything is possible, and Jerry certainly enjoys the spotlight.
A move like this would focus all attention on the Cowboys and propel them into Superbowl discussions across all media platforms.
