Pro Football Rumors
The Jets are adding a third first-round pick in barely an hour. Rumblings of the team trading Quinnen Williams have indeed preceded a deal, as the Cowboys will acquire the standout defensive tackle.
A first-rounder “and more” is headed to the Jets in exchange for Williams, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. This deal comes shortly after the Jets sent Sauce Gardner to the Colts for two first-round picks. Here is how the trade breaks down, via The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
The Cowboys, of course, had some ammo to play with after acquiring two first-rounders for Micah Parsons this summer. Dallas is loaded at defensive tackle now, having obtained Kenny Clark in that trade and having re-signed Osa Odighizuwa just before free agency. The pick going to the Jets is the Cowboys’ first-rounder, not the Packers’ choice, according to Rapoport.
For a team sitting 3-5 — after a two-score loss to the Cardinals — it is borderline astounding to see the Cowboys give up future first- and second-round picks here. But Jerry Jones hinted at the Parsons trade giving the Cowboys options to trade picks for players. Weeks later, that has come to fruition — even if the Packer picks are staying put. Though, with Parsons in Green Bay, there is a pretty reasonable chance the Dallas pick will check in higher in the 2027 draft.
Jones hinted at a trade being agreed to Monday, but the Cowboys acquired Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson on Tuesday morning. This Williams addition is a much bigger splash. The Cowboys’ defense has crumbled in Matt Eberflus‘ first year in charge, with Parsons’ exit being felt immediately. The Cowboys have been unable to stop opponents from passing or running, ranking 31st in points and yards allowed. The Cardinals continued that trend Monday night, and Jones is responding — as a way to help a high-powered offense stay in the playoff race.
Dallas’ defense has struggled despite Jones remarking the Parsons trade would help the team improve against the run. Williams will certainly help there, but this is now a third high-priced D-tackle contract hitting Dallas’ payroll. The team re-signed Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80MM deal in March. The Cowboys then obtained Clark’s three-year, $64MM extension from the Packers. Williams is tied to a four-year, $96MM accord that runs through 2027.
More to come.
