2018 NFL Trade Machine: Rob Gronkowski to the Dallas Cowboys
By Erik Lambert
This time of year is light on actual news, so it’s a good time to form interesting speculation about what’s to come. Behold the 2018 NFL trade machine.
The idea is simple. Pinpoint a player that could be on the move before this season is over, for one reason or another and find him a team that would make the aggressive move to get him. One name that should be getting serious attention is Rob Gronkowski. There are a variety of factors that play into the idea he’ll be traded sooner than later.
For starters, he plays for Bill Belichick. No coach/GM has proven more willing to unload big names in favor of long-term flexibility that the “Hoodie.” He’s done it several times. There’s no reason to think Gronkowski is any different. The tight end is approaching his 30s and has dealt with his fair share of injury problems despite still being the best in the NFL at his position.
Tom Brady is rumored to be heavily resistant to such an idea, but Belichick has final say in these matters. This might be the last, best chance the Patriots have to get something decent in return for him.
Gronk would instantly solve the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest issue
If any team could get the maximum value out of a Gronkowski trade, it would be the Dallas Cowboys. From the Patriots’ perspective, it would work because it sends the tight end out of the conference to the NFC, always preferable with great players like him. For Dallas, it’s a no-brainer. This is a team that just lost future Hall of Famer Jason Witten to retirement.
As of now the Cowboys are looking at Geoff Swaim, Rico Gathers or Dalton Schultz as their primary options at the position. That’s not ideal for Dak Prescott as he tries to revive a passing attack that finished 26th in the league last season. Gronk would be an instant upgrade and force defenses to divert attention away from stopping Ezekiel Elliott on the ground.
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Dallas feels their window to win a championship is now. However, the state of the offense doesn’t reflect this belief. They have the running game but their passing arsenal is lacking. They need another ace to bring it to the level required for a shot at dethroning the Eagles in the NFC East. Gronk would be worth the price, even if it’s short-term. The likely cost would be no more than a 2nd round pick given where he’s at in his career.