Cowboys Trade deadline recap

1. The Cowboys acquired Quinnen Williams (defensive tackle) from the New York Jets. NFL.com+3Reuters+3ESPN.com+3

   • They sent: a 2026 2nd-round pick, a 2027 1st-round pick (the better of their two) and DT Mazi Smith. NFL.com+2CBS Sports+2

   • Williams is a 3-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro, and was under contract through 2027. Reuters+2ESPN.com+2

2. The Cowboys also acquired Logan Wilson (linebacker) from the Cincinnati Bengals for a 7th-round pick. Cincy Jungle

✅ How these help the defense

Here’s why these moves matter:

A) Interior defensive line boost (Williams)

• The Cowboys’ defense had been among the worst in the league in total yards and points allowed. CBS Sports+2ESPN.com+2

• Williams is a disruptive interior piece: he can defend the run, collapse the pocket, draw double teams, and free up teammates. Dallas Cowboys+1

• With Williams joining veteran DTs like Kenny Clark (and others) the Cowboys now have a stronger front that potentially forces offenses to adjust. ESPN.com+1

• His arrival also gives the coaching staff more options, such as using more five-down fronts, which might create more one-on-one matchups. Dallas Cowboys+1

B) Linebacker room improvement (Wilson)

• The linebacker unit was lacking depth and consistency; adding Wilson brings a seasoned veteran with proven production. Dallas Cowboys+1

• A stronger LB core helps both run-fits and pass-coverage over the middle, which can ease pressure on other parts of the defense (DL & secondary).

C) Immediate and future impact

• Both players are in their prime and under contract for at least a few more years, meaning the moves are not just “for this year” but for the next phase. Dallas Cowboys+1

• The boost in talent, especially on the interior DL, should help the Cowboys improve their numbers—like sacks, pressures, opponent run yards, etc.—which had been weak.

⚠️ Considerations / What still needs to be addressed

• While these are excellent pieces, they don’t single-handedly fix everything: the Cowboys still have other defensive areas (e.g., secondary, consistency, scheme execution) that need improvement. Blogging The Boys+1

• The cost of the Williams trade is steep (first and second rounders + a young DT), so the expectation of return is high. If the defense still struggles, the criticism will follow. CBS Sports

• Integrating new players into the system (especially mid-season) always has a transition cost—learning the playbook, building chemistry, adapting to the scheme.

• The Cowboys have to ensure they maximize what they now have up front (Williams, Clark, etc) and get the rest of their unit (LBs, DBs) clicking.

I feel these moves were a good job by Jones and the front office, this team has to go play Las Vegas and then Philly in the upcoming weeks. Two teams that can exploit weak linebacker and d-line corps with their run game, quarterback or not. The acquisition of Williams and Wilson should definetly help up front, especially considering the linebacker corps have been horrific this year. There is still the secondary, which has looked like burnt toast for the better part of this year, but hopefully this can keep the Cowboys trending in the right direction.