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Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dallas Cowboys’ Gutsy Trade Deadline Has Huge Upside

Originally posted on The Lead | By Grayson Collins | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 8:11 PM ET

The Cowboys are looking to make a playoff push, and Jerry Jones‘ latest trade deadline will play a huge factor in that going forward.

The Cowboys made headlines last Tuesday, making two trades to bolster their lackluster defense. Dallas traded for Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams, with the DT Williams trade drawing the most attention from the NFL community.

What Williams Will Bring to Dallas

Interior run defense is the short-term answer to what Quinnen Williams brings. In reality, the 27-year-old doesn’t even have to play like he has in his best seasons, as just an average defense for the Cowboys would prevent a lot of losses in the future.

Williams is just one of two DL since 2022 with an 85+ pass rush and run defense grade, notable for a team that needs all the help it can get on the interior.

The deal for Williams wasn’t cheap, but the Cowboys still have two first-round picks in next year’s draft. While this assuages some of the apprehensions about this Cowboys season, it still doesn’t help Jerry Jones‘ hope for a playoff push, which could fall flat if Dallas doesn’t straighten out a few kinks during the bye week.

Quinnen Williams has beaten 57 double teams to generate pressure since 2022, the most of any player in that span.

His 190 total pressures during that timeframe are the 4th-most among defensive tackles.@dallascowboys | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/bsFRr5QkiV

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 4, 2025

Logan Wilson is an Underrated Steal

Given multiple injuries to this Cowboys team, bringing in Wilson to help the team is a good move, especially considering what Dallas sent to Cincinnati in just a 2026 seventh-round pick.

Wilson, who’s 29, has played six seasons for the Bengals since coming into the league. With the return of DeMarvion Overshown coming up against the Raiders, it will be interesting to see the dynamic between the two linebackers.

Wilson was once a top linebacker in the league, but with a new Bengals DC saw less playing time behind youngsters Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. His position in this Cowboys defense will be an instant boost. “For what we need right now, he can come in immediately and help us at linebacker,” Jerry Jones said of Wilson on 105.3 The Fan.

New Cowboys LB Logan Wilson on what kind of player Dallas is getting: “Tough, physical, hard-nosed attitude. I try to find ways to make plays on the ball and get the ball back to our offense.” pic.twitter.com/8Bz0rpiP6S

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 4, 2025

Things Are Looking Up

Saying things are getting better after losing to the Cardinals feels like a stretch, but these deadline moves have a ton of upside.

To the advantage of Williams and Wilson, the Cowboys had the bye before their next game against a lowly Raiders squad. This should not only give both guys time to adjust, but also give them a chance to wreak havoc on a lesser opponent.

The obvious push from Jerry Jones is that he believes the Cowboys are still a playoff-caliber team. The move for Williams solidified that notion, but questions come up when considering if that loss to the Cardinals played a role in whether the trade would happen or not.

“You can rest assured that at least in my mind, all those considerations are there,” Jones said. “It was there before this game. It was there when we started the season about whether you make a trade or not.”

It’s sort of an odd thought coming from the owner of a team who is 3-5-1, but it makes sense because of the league-worst defense on display.