The Carolina Panthers or Baltimore Ravens may be favorites for $40 million star trade candidate, Demarcus Lawrence this upcoming season. According to a report, Pro Football Network’s Anthony DiBona says that the Cowboys could put Lawrence on the trade block since he isn’t getting any younger and is heading into the final year of his current contract. This would make sense when thinking about freeing cap space for the team and they don’t have to decide between paying Micah Parsons or Lawrence. It would give the Cowboys $10 million in cap space if they trade him during the season and all of their focus would be is retaining Parsons beyond 2024.
Dallas is likely giving Parsons a massive extension next offseason which would spell the end of Lawrence’s tenure with the Cowboys. However, the team has bigger issues they’re facing this upcoming season with CeeDee Lamb holding out and Dak Prescott looking for a new deal. Both of their key players are heading towards free agency along with Lawrence if they don’t receive a new extension. No one should expect the Cowboys to be in the same dilemma next offseason since they want to save as much space as they can to help keep Parsons around for the future.
Marshawn Kneeland would be the next man up but if they trade Lawrence immediately then they could use whatever draft picks in return to add depth on their defensive line. The Panthers are one team that is always looking for defensive line help even though they were able to sign Jadeveon Clowney. Lawrence would be a veteran help alongside Shaq Thompson to make the Panthers a physical defense again. However, the loss of Patrick Queen for the Ravens shows a hole missing for this upcoming year at linebacker.
Panthers, Ravens May Be Favorites for $40 Million Star Demarcus Lawrence
Other Potential Trade Fits
Los Angeles Chargers
It would be safe to assume that the Chargers are not keeping Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack for many seasons to come. Bosa has been struggling to stay on the field even though he was able to restructure his contract with the team. It doesn’t mean the Chargers wouldn’t consider trading him this upcoming year either. Bosa has been in numerous trade rumors this offseason despite having a new deal.
This means it would leave Mack as the lone star pass rusher but what could work is sending Bosa in exchange for Lawrence in a trade package. It would probably send shockwaves across the league but it makes sense for both sides since the Cowboys need a defensive end since losing Dorance Armstrong this offseason. Linebacker is the most important for the Cowboys to focus on since they were able to sign Eric Kendricks but no one to replace Leighton Vander-Esch.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are bringing in a low-cost, high-risk reward Chase Young this upcoming season so it shouldn’t be surprising if he doesn’t perform well. New Orleans has a lackluster offense so they might well start stacking on defensive pieces next offseason while they look for a new quarterback in next year’s draft. Derek Carr is on the hot seat this season so they need all the help they need on defense to give him more opportunities on offense.
Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Danna and Chris Jones are returning for this defensive line, but imagine if Lawrence were to join the defending Super Bowl champions. Lawrence would probably come at a cheap cost if it means winning a ring before he eventually returns to Dallas for one more year to return. This what the route that Demarcus Ware took and it paid off for him.
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