ARLINGTON, Texas — A Sports Illustrated columnist proposed trading Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for backup quarterback Joe Milton III.
Jason La Canfora published the idea Thursday, one of several proposed trades in the piece. It is a columnist’s pitch rather than reported trade interest. La Canfora wrote that Jerry Jones has been talking about trades since before training camp and that Dallas has “major issues at corner,” and he suggested Humphrey could play outside, in the slot, or as a third safety with rookie Caleb Downs.
Jones said Friday the Cowboys will spend the next two days going through other teams’ rosters.
“These could be some critical days here as we look at our roster, look at all the other rosters,” Jones said. “Right now everybody around the league, the other 31 teams, are seeing if they can improve it. We’ll be looking at that very, very aggressively.”
Jones did not mention Humphrey or any player by name.
What Marlon Humphrey Would Cost
Humphrey is owed $19.25 million in 2026, the last year of the five-year, $97.5 million extension he signed in October 2020. His cap number is $26.2 million.
Baltimore drafted him 16th overall in 2017 from Alabama. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro, in 2019 and again in 2024, when he intercepted six passes playing mainly in the slot. Career: 23 interceptions in 131 games.
Last season, Humphrey played 15 games, with 4 interceptions and 7 pass breakups. Ranked 105th of 114 cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus, he allowed 67 receptions and a 90.9 passer rating when targeted. His run defense ranked ninth among peers.
The Dallas Cowboys Secondary And The Quarterback Room
In April, Dallas traded the 12th pick and two fifth-round choices with Miami to select Downs 11th. Downs, a safety who played 44 games at Alabama and Ohio State, earned the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award and ranked ninth in Heisman voting.
DaRon Bland, a 2023 first-team All-Pro, has battled foot issues over two seasons. Dallas put him on injured reserve on Dec. 20, then activated him on Feb. 15. He did not play on Friday.
Milton was 8-of-15 for 92 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against New Orleans. In two preseason games, he went 21-of-28 for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dallas traded a fifth-round pick for him in 2025, and he backed up Dak Prescott all season.
On Friday, Sam Howell completed 12 of 18 passes for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer called the competition neck and neck. Rosters need to be reduced to 53 players by 5 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Dallas begins its season against the New York Giants on Sept. 13. The game kicks off at 7:20 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on NBC.
