Dallas Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones teased a commerce Monday evening, and on Tuesday morning, they acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals, which did not precisely transfer the needle.
About two hours earlier than Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET commerce deadline, nonetheless, Dallas made an enormous splash by buying defensive deal with Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.
Dallas traded a 2026 second-round choose, a 2027 first-round choose (the higher of the Cowboys’ pair of picks after buying one within the Micah Parsons commerce) and defensive deal with Mazi Smith to New York to finish the commerce for Williams, sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Williams, 27, was drafted No. 3 by the Jets in 2019 and is below contract by means of 2027.
The Cowboys are 3-5-1 after shedding 27-17 to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday evening, placing their playoff hopes in dire straits, properly behind the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles (6-2).
Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, Jets reporter Wealthy Cimini and NFL draft analyst Matt Miller break down the commerce from myriad angles, together with what it means for the Cowboys’ future and why the Jets let Williams go.
Did Dallas basically commerce Micah Parsons for Williams, contemplating what they gave up and obtained in return?
Archer: Are you forgetting Kenny Clark? The Cowboys aren’t. They’ve spoken extremely of him since touchdown him within the Parsons commerce with the Packers. They may should do one thing along with his contract in 2026, however he’s considered as part of the answer.
Parsons is among the few who can wreck a sport on his personal. A defensive deal with, even one pretty much as good as Williams, does not do this the identical manner. Shedding Smith is a plus since he added little.
They nonetheless have three first-round picks within the subsequent two years, which is a bonus. The Cowboys are nonetheless in place to enhance a roster that wants enchancment.
What does the commerce imply for the DT rotation with Williams, Clark and Osa Odighizuwa?
Archer: For those who’re paying this sort if cash to 3 defensive tackles to be a part of a rotation, then this can be a flawed determination. It might imply a change in how the Cowboys use the three tackles on the identical time. In Monday’s loss to the Cardinals, they used a five-man entrance to assist plug a few of their holes higher.
Odighizuwa has extra place flexibility than the opposite two, however this isn’t to recommend the Cowboys would change to a 3-4 scheme from the 4-3 they’ve used for years. It simply opens up prospects for them to change their fronts.
Why did the Jets commerce Williams?
Cimini: It was a multi-layered determination. Let’s begin with the compensation: The Jets felt it was a no brainer, particularly for the reason that 2027 first-round choose is the upper of Dallas’ two first-round picks that 12 months.
The Jets have excessive regard for Williams, whom they gave a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023, however he hasn’t been as dynamic as he was in 2022 (career-high 12 sacks). Williams, annoyed by seven years of shedding, wasn’t pleased with the path of the franchise, sources mentioned. He additionally did not like the best way he was being utilized in Steve Wilks’ protection, sources mentioned.
His contract, which runs by means of 2027, may need turn into a problem within the offseason, as Williams seemingly would’ve pushed for a renegotiation.
What do all of those trades imply for the Jets’ protection?
Cimini: In 2023, the Jets had among the best defenses within the NFL. Not anymore, not even shut. Williams and Sauce Gardner, traded Tuesday to the Colts, had been their two most achieved defenders. These trades punctuate a two-year expertise drain that noticed them lose, minimize or commerce a few of their prime gamers.
The protection already was struggling this season (twenty seventh in factors allowed); now there are some important holes. Younger gamers resembling cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, linebacker Kiko Mauigioa, cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers and Smith (acquired within the Williams commerce) can be pressed into key roles.
Backside line: it is a main rebuild.
Does this deal clear up the Cowboys’ largest defensive points?
Archer: No, as a result of all the protection has points. So far as I do know, Williams can’t cowl broad receivers or tight ends. However he helps. He has pass-rush means, evidenced by his 12-sack season in 2022. He’s thought-about among the best defensive tackles in soccer. Stopping the run is significant to a protection, and the Cowboys’ run D has been poor, permitting 119 yards or extra of their previous six video games.
However factors come by means of the passing sport and so they have allowed 30 cross performs of 20 yards or extra. Their third-down protection is worst within the league in the meanwhile. Till they will get a constant cross rush paired with higher protection — man or zone — within the again finish, quarterbacks may nonetheless have a discipline day on this protection.
How does the commerce have an effect on the Cowboys’ wage cap?
Archer: Do not get caught up within the precise numbers as a result of groups can transfer round cash at any time when and nonetheless they need.
Maybe the Cowboys should decide on Clark by March, since he’s due an $11 million roster bonus on the third day of the league 12 months. Paying three defensive tackles at the very least $20 million appears a bit a lot.
The Cowboys can all the time restructure the contracts of QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, G Tyler Smith, TE Jake Ferguson and/or CB DaRon Bland to create room, though it is likely to be finest to not contact Prescott’s deal even with a $74 million cap cost in 2026. They will transfer on from some gamers to create room (Trevon Diggs, Terence Steele) as properly.
In the intervening time, they’ve loads of area to be lively in free company, however that modifications to a level in the event that they place the franchise tag on receiver George Pickens.
Dallas nonetheless has two 2026 first-round picks, who’re some early targets to remember?
Miller: The 2026 draft class strains up very properly with Dallas’ wants at positions like operating again, linebacker and doubtlessly a No. 2 broad receiver if Pickens is not re-signed or tagged. At operating again, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is the lone first-round prospect, and it is seemingly he’ll be a top-10 choose within the upcoming draft. Love’s open-field velocity leads to large play after large play — like his 94-yard landing run final weekend. He can be the reply to Dallas’ run-game struggles.
Defensively, might Dallas substitute Parsons with one other linebacker/edge rusher hybrid from the Massive 10? Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is a difference-maker with that very same ability set however extra pop and energy to his sport as a university prospect. He’ll seemingly be a top-10 choose, as properly.
Taking a look at receivers, my prime cross catcher within the class is Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, a deep menace who would replicate a whole lot of what Pickens has dropped at the Dallas offense. He is seen as a probable top-15 choose within the first spherical.