We have to admit we didn't envision Jones pulling the trigger on a deal as notable as Quinnen Williams, who instantly becomes the face of the unit once headlined by Micah Parsons. Williams' interior power, coupled with Logan Wilson's arrival via trade with the Cincinnati Bengals, may well improve the front seven.

And yet, when all is said and done, the Cowboys are now out a first- and second-rounder over the next two drafts, meaning they essentially dealt Parsons, who's now driving the Green Bay Packers' pass rush, to:

>Acquire DT Quinnen Williams
>Acquire DT Kenny Clark
>Move up from the second to first round in the 2026 NFL Draft
>And save roughly $70 million in salary cap space

Is that a fair swap? Parting with a generational edge rusher for a pair of interior defenders, one of whom is already 30 and another who will be 28 on a top 10 salary this December?
>Forgot to add the $70M in cap but maybe those two end up eating it up?

Trading for Quinnen Williams is the kind of move that the Cowboys “couldn’t afford not to make,” a veteran defensive line coach tells Between The Hashmarks.

Williams arrives as one of the game’s truly elite run-stuffers, who is capable of generating consistent interior pressure on the quarterback, as well.

Williams, 27, boasts an elite 90.1 run-stopping grade, and will now anchor a Cowboys’ defensive line that entered Tuesday in desperate need of reinforcements.

Adding Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson are meaningful steps improving against the run, but this is still a group that is several pieces away

NFL Scout’s Take: “I don’t know if he’s enough to help that raggedy defense, but he’s a piece, for sure. Their problem is that they don’t have a pass rush, and both of their cornerbacks are terrible.”