The Dallas Cowboys’ free agency spending splurge, which some thought might have happened after the restructuring of several contracts, didn’t happen.

With a host of cost-effective free agents signed, one being Dante Fowler Jr., who returns after a one-year stint in Washington, where he led them in sacks (10.5), to be part of a new-look defensive front under Matt Eberflus.

But he might be staying for long in what is an odd move being talked about by Pro Football Network, as Fowler has been named as one Cowboy who could be a trade asset. Dallas just signed Dante, and it is going to trade him for draft capital?

That’s the theory here.

“After four middling years between Atlanta and Dallas, Dante Fowler Jr. had an extremely productive 10.5 sack season for Washington last year,” Pro Football Network writes. “That’s led to a second stint in Dallas, where Fowler could start across from Micah Parsons.

“However, with young edge rushers Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland behind him, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Fowler fall back into his usual designated pass rusher role. While the Cowboys could use help there, it’s easy to imagine Fowler becoming a tradeable asset if Dallas gets development from its young pass rushers (and potentially adds to the position group in the draft).”

There’s a bit to unpack.

Sam Williams is coming off an ACL injury, so exactly how healthy he will be remains to be seen, but Fowler is likely ahead of him in the depth chart. Kneeland showed promise in his rookie season, but injury saw him miss six games.

Are both of them ahead of Fowler Jr.? We don’t think so.

The other is Fowler’s contract. A one-year, $6 million deal and per Over The Cap, if he is traded pre-June 1, which is before the draft, Dallas will have $3 million in dead money and get $3 million of cap savings, and those numbers stay the same if he is a post-June 1 cut.

So it doesn’t make sense for the Cowboys to trade away a player they just got for draft capital, and one who has a chip on his shoulder from the Commanders showing zero interest to keep him.

Fowler as trade bait? We hardly think so.