Nashville, TN / Dallas, TX – May 31, 2025 — The Dallas Cowboys could soon add a major piece to their wide receiver room through a low-risk, high-reward trade — targeting former first-round pick Treylon Burks of the Tennessee Titans, a once-promising talent whose time in Nashville appears to be nearing its end.
Per multiple league sources and recent reporting by Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, the Cowboys are exploring a potential trade for Burks — a 2022 first-round pick (No. 18 overall) — who has struggled to stay healthy and productive during his tenure with Tennessee. The proposed deal would allow Dallas to “buy low” on a high-upside player in a classic NFL reclamation move.
🔄 NFL’s Hidden Market for Bust-to-Bounce-Back Deals
This kind of move reflects a growing trend across the NFL: teams quietly acquiring underperforming former first-round picks in hopes of rejuvenating their careers in new environments. While the risk remains relatively low — especially if the player’s contract is manageable — the reward can be substantial if the talent resurfaces in the right scheme.
Burks, 24, signed a four-year rookie deal worth just over $14.3 million guaranteed. With two years remaining, any team acquiring him would absorb a modest cap hit for a player once seen as a physical, explosive talent with elite yards-after-catch ability.
📉 Burks’ Struggles in Tennessee
The Arkansas standout entered the league with lofty expectations as the man picked to replace A.J. Brown, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in a now-infamous 2022 draft-day deal orchestrated by then-GM Jon Robinson.
Unfortunately, Burks’ career never gained momentum.
•Games Played: 27 of a possible 51
•Career Stats: 53 receptions, 699 yards, 1 touchdown
•2024 Season: Just 5 games, 4 receptions, 34 yards, 0 TDs
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound wideout has been plagued by injuries, including concussions, knee issues, and soft-tissue setbacks that have prevented him from building rhythm or chemistry with multiple quarterbacks.
Now, with a new coaching regime and front office in Tennessee, Burks finds himself as a leftover from the previous era — with little organizational backing remaining.
“The Titans are now on their second general manager since Jon Robinson,” Matt Holder noted. “That means the people who believed in Burks the most are no longer in the building.”
⭐ Why the Cowboys Make Sense
The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, are looking to deepen their wide receiver group behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, especially after letting go of veteran Michael Gallup earlier this offseason.
Burks, if healthy, could offer the kind of physicality and yards-after-catch threat the Cowboys currently lack at the WR3 spot — particularly in red zone and short-yardage scenarios. The idea would be to use him situationally, giving him a chance to reestablish his value while keeping expectations manageable.
Dallas has developed a reputation for reviving careers, and the fit could benefit both sides. Head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer could give Burks a clean slate in a more stable offense — while Tennessee cuts bait on a player who no longer fits its future plans.
🔮 What’s Next?
No official deal has been finalized, but insiders believe talks are “active and progressing.” The compensation for Burks would likely be a late-round conditional pick or a player-for-player swap. If Dallas pulls the trigger, they’ll take on a manageable salary and retain a fifth-year option should Burks exceed expectations.
For Tennessee, the move would clear cap space and a roster spot while symbolically closing the book on one of the more painful post-A.J. Brown chapters in franchise history.
Stay tuned for further updates as negotiations develop.
