Could the Dallas Cowboys Trade For Nick Fairley?
By Erik Lambert
Dec 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) celebrates after making a play during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Giants beat the Lions 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
During a part of the season where outlandish ideas become commonplace, could there exist be a chance Nick Fairley joins the Dallas Cowboys?
Detroit Lions hesitant to extend Fairley into 2015 NFL season
Of all the notable names around the NFL that were question marks looking ahead to the 2015 season, nobody probably counted defensive tackle Nick Fairley among them. Indeed the Detroit Lions standout is coming off the best season of his career in which he posted 35 tackles and six sacks alongside Ndamukong Suh. So it is puzzing that Lions GM Martin Mayhew, who has the option to active Fairley’s contract for an extension into the 2015 season was not bashful about saying he had no plans to use it. Mayhew stated that Fairley is at a crossroads in Detroit. He looks great for stretches and then tends to disappear. Mayhew wants more consistency from him before considering the option but it does raise the question about how long Fairley has been in hot water. Obviously the arrival of a new coaching staff brought new evaluations to the table. Head coach Jim Caldwell might not see the production as telling the whole story and urged Mayhew to hold off on the option until Fairley proved he could string some good games together. One question that must be asked though is whether this news means Fairley could be expendable in the near future?
Henry Melton addition leaves Rod Marinelli with run stopper need
If so then the Dallas Cowboys would be stupid not to have interest. In a year where their entire focus is on equipping the roster with enough talent to make a playoff run, no signing or trade is out of the question. They did some really fine work in bringing Henry Melton in from Chicago. Rod Marinelli now has a building block for the retooling of his depleted defensive line but there is still lots of work to do. Finding Melton a running mate would more than help matters. Most experts believe they will seek out that player in the NFL draft but if the situation deteriorate with Fairley in Detroit, they might find better value in a trade. The idea of pair Melton, one of the better interior pass rushers in the league with a big, disruptive bull like Fairley could be the shot the arm the Cowboys defense will need to spark a turnaround. It would make finding edge rushers much easier and take loads of pressure off their beleaguered secondary.
Obviously the situation isn’t anywhere near that bad yet. Nick Fairley remains a key part of the Detroit Lions defense. Still, things change fast in the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys would do well to stay apprised of the situation.