Dallas Cowboys Are Reportedly Being Linked To 23-Year-Old Former 1st Round Wide Receiver After Coming Up Empty-Handed At The Draft

Between Brandon Aiyuk, Quentin Johnston, George Pickens and Tyreek Hill, there’s no shortage of big-named NFL wide receivers who’ve been widely mentioned in offseason trade rumors.

Throw in unsigned free agents Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen, and there’s no shortage of options for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys if they wish to bolster their wide receiver room ahead of Week 1.

Many expected Dallas to take a wide receiver in the first round, but they stunned everybody by taking Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 selection. Perhaps more surprisingly, Dallas didn’t draft a single receiver this year.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay recently listed four big-named NFL veterans who should be traded following the 2025 Draft. Kay mentioned Quentin Johnston and floated the Cowboys as a possible landing spot:

“With teams like the Dallas Cowboys desperate for receivers right now, there’s a chance the Chargers could get at least a middle-round pick in exchange for his services. Johnston is still just 23 years old, is on a cheap contract and had a 13-catch, 186-yard explosion during the regular season finale—displaying upside that could boost his value during trade talks.”

After a disappointing rookie year, the No. 21 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft showed signs of stardom by tallying 55 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. And that was while playing second-fiddle to Ladd McConkey on a rush-heavy Los Angeles Chargers offense.The Chargers also brought back old friend Mike Williams in free agency and drafted Ole Miss wideout Tre Harris at No. 55 overall, so they have the depth to make up for Johnston’s production if he leaves.

Cowboys Should Definitely Call Chargers About Quentin Johnston

In Dallas, Quentin Johnston would immediately be the No. 2 receiver behind superstar CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys haven’t had such a receiver since trading Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in 2022, and as Kay notes, Dallas would get him on a cheap rookie deal.Dallas has lost far too many games when opposing defenses took away Lamb and led Prescott scrambling to find other targets. So if the Chargers are willing to trade Johnston, the Cowboys need to make a move for him.