Cowboys Acquire Williams, Wilson to Bolster Defense

The Dallas Cowboys bolstered their struggling defense at the NFL trade deadline on November 5, 2025, by acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets and linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals, moves aimed at fueling a late-season playoff push.

In the headline trade, the Cowboys sent a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2026 second-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets for Williams, a 27-year-old Pro Bowl standout. Williams, selected ninth overall by New York in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama, has earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro honor over six seasons. He has recorded 40 sacks in 98 games, including 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack through the Jets' first eight games this year. However, his performance has declined in recent seasons after a dominant 2023 campaign, where he posted a 16.3 percent pressure rate, the highest for a defensive tackle in the Next Gen Stats database since 2016.

The Cowboys also obtained Wilson, a reliable linebacker, from the Bengals in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Wilson provides depth and potential upgrade at the position, addressing ongoing issues...