The Dallas Cowboys should explore trading for the former first-round cornerback.

Heading into the season, the Dallas Cowboys had plenty of reasons to be optimistic on defense, mostly off the field.

Players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams and rookie second-round pick Marshawn Niland have given Dallas ample opportunities to disrupt opposing offenses and harass quarterbacks.

Eight weeks into the season, the team is battling injuries.

MORE: A potential Cowboys trade will make fans believe again.

Lawrence and Parsons have been sidelined since Week 4, Niland was injured a week later and has yet to return, and Williams was lost for the season during training camp.

While the defense awaits the return of some of those pieces, the Cowboys should look to acquire production on the trade market to fill the void.

Insert Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney into the picture.

A former No. 1 overall pick in 2014 by the Houston Texans, Clowney is currently in his 11th season and could be a name to watch for teams in need of an upgrade as the Panthers currently face a rebuild.

The former All-Pro has 19 tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures. During his career with six different teams, Clowney recorded a total of 382 tackles, 53.5 sacks, 102 tackles for loss and 130 quarterback hits.

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