The Dallas Cowboys are reeling after a disappointing 1-2 start to the 2025 NFL season, and the hits keep coming. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense, is expected to miss 3–4 weeks due to a high left ankle sprain suffered during the team’s Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The injury, reported via a September 22, 2025, post on X, is a major setback for a team already struggling to find its rhythm.
Lamb, a Pro Bowl talent, had initially expressed optimism about suiting up for Dallas’ Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. However, the severity of his injury has dashed those hopes, leaving the Cowboys scrambling to fill the void left by their dynamic playmaker. With Lamb sidelined for potentially a month, Dallas is now exploring the trade market to bolster its receiving corps and keep its playoff aspirations alive.
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Last November, the Cowboys swung a deal with the Carolina Panthers to acquire wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. Unfortunately, Mingo has yet to make his mark in Dallas, failing to record a single reception through the first three games of the 2025 season. With Mingo struggling to integrate into the offense, the Cowboys may look to the Panthers once again for a solution—this time targeting second-year wideout Xavier Legette.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently named Legette among the top 10 NFL trade candidates heading into Week 3. Selected by Carolina with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Legette has shown flashes of potential but has yet to fully break out. The Panthers’ recent selection of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the top 10 of the 2025 draft could make Legette expendable, opening the door for a potential trade.
Legette, currently in the second year of a four-year, $12.3 million rookie contract that runs through 2027, represents a cost-controlled option with upside. Despite a slow start to his NFL career—53 receptions for 505 yards and four touchdowns in Carolina—Legette’s college tape at South Carolina tells a different story. In his final collegiate season in 2023, he racked up 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing his ability to dominate as a big-play threat.
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NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein praised Legette’s physical tools in his 2024 pre-draft scouting report, highlighting his “body control, play strength, and ball skills” that allow him to overpower defenders. Zierlein noted Legette’s knack for making tough catches and his “stealth acceleration” as a deep-ball threat, though he acknowledged that Legette may not develop into a polished route runner. His toughness as a runner and blocker adds further value, making him a potential Day 2 talent with starter upside.
For a Cowboys team desperate for offensive firepower, Legette could be a low-risk, high-reward addition. Bleacher Report projects his trade value at a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which could escalate to a second-rounder based on statistical production. Knox described the move as a “risk-reward” play, noting that Legette’s early struggles in Carolina may be tied to the Panthers’ inconsistent offense rather than a lack of talent.
While Dallas awaits Lamb’s return, the team will lean heavily on wide receiver George Pickens to shoulder the load in the passing game. However, with the offense struggling to find consistency, adding a player like Legette could provide a much-needed spark. His combination of size, speed, and physicality aligns with the Cowboys’ need for a complementary weapon who can stretch the field and create mismatches.
As the trade deadline looms, the Cowboys face a critical decision: ride out Lamb’s absence with their current roster or make a bold move to acquire a player like Legette. If Dallas can unlock the potential that made Legette a first-round pick, this trade could prove to be a game-changer for a team desperate to turn its season around. For now, all eyes are on Dallas as they navigate this challenging stretch without their star receiver.