The Dallas Cowboys traded for All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets on Tuesday, using assets from the earlier Micah Parsons deal to address defensive needs. This move pairs Williams with Pro Bowl DT Kenny Clark, acquired in the Parsons trade to the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Williams' disruptive impact on the interior line.
Trade Details and Impact
The Cowboys sent a 2026 second-round pick, the better of their and the Packers' 2027 first-round picks, and 2023 first-round DT Mazi Smith to the Jets for the 27-year-old Williams, who has 40 career sacks and three straight Pro Bowl nods. Williams leads the NFL with 13 run stuffs for loss or no gain this season. This acquisition stems from the preseason trade of All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers for two first-round picks and Clark, a move criticized for losing a game-wrecker but now nuanced by adding high-caliber talent.
Utilizing the New Defensive Line
Dallas now boasts three high-level defensive tackles: Williams (cap hits of $21.75M in 2026, $25.5M in 2027), 30-year-old Clark ($21.5M in 2026, $20M in 2027), and 27-year-old Osa Odighizuwa ($20.75M in 2026, $24.5M in 2027-2028). Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus employs a 4-3 scheme but plans more five-down fronts to rotate them, as seen in Week 9's five sacks against Arizona. Odighizuwa noted the room's competitiveness, saying, "Very competitive D-tackle room. Extremely competitive, but we also got guys that are all starting-caliber."
Schottenheimer highlighted Williams' pass-rush ability: "He's just a difference maker, the ability to affect the interior part of the pocket." Williams and Odighizuwa rank 1-2 in QB pressures vs. double teams since 2022. The trio aims to create chaos, with Schottenheimer adding, "You can never have enough depth at the interior part of the defensive line."
Broader Context
The Cowboys (3-5-1) rank second-worst in scoring defense (30.8 PPG allowed) after a 27-17 loss to Arizona. Trading Parsons, who had elite EPA impact from 2021-2024, was polarizing, but adding Williams (12 sacks in 2022) and Clark addresses run defense (fifth-best at 89.4 YPG allowed with Parsons in Green Bay). Jones used Parsons assets proactively, gaining cap space for extensions like CB DaRon Bland's.