The Dallas Cowboys have until today at 4 p.m. ET to make another trade before the trade deadline, and I’ve got three pass rushers I’d like Jerry Jones calling about before the deadline.
Maxx Crosby, Will McDonald IV, and Josh Sweat. I think all of us fans would welcome any of these guys to Christian Parker’s defense, but what would Dallas have to give up is the interesting question.
McDonald requested a trade Monday morning. Sweat has been connected to Dallas a lot, while Crosby is somebody the Cowboys already tried to get earlier this year.
I know Stephen Jones thinks this team is close, and after watching the defense struggle to get pressure most of the season, he is definitely making some calls.
Jerry, per usual, didn’t beat around the bush:
“I’m never shut down from trying to get something that would really advance the needle, especially one that could do it now and into the future, I said at the start of training camp, I’m willing to put some things out there that are for today, lean more today than they would be three years from now. Well, that’s the future we’re talking about. So I’m open, we’re open. We’ve got a trade deadline coming up when you can do some things. Let’s see what happens.”
Parker’s defense is beginning to improve. Dallas held Indianapolis to 271 yards Sunday, forced two turnovers, and recorded two sacks. I’d like to see what this defense can do with a legitimate pass rusher on the outside.
The question is which player would you want Jerry to go after and how much would you be willing to spend?
Maxx Crosby: Would George Pickens Get it Done?
Maxx Crosby would be my first trade deadline target, and I don’t think it’s close when we talk about overall talent.
He leads this trade-candidate group in pressures, pressure rate and PFF pass-rush grade. His pressure rate is more than DOUBLE Josh Sweat’s.
If Dallas wants the biggest pass-rush upgrade, Crosby is the guy.
Dallas already tried to get him in March by offering a first-round pick, a future second, and a veteran player before Las Vegas agreed to send him to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.
That deal fell apart after medical concerns came to light, and Crosby stayed with the Raiders.
There is no way I’m offering two first-round picks now. Dallas has already given away enough future draft assets.
What about George Pickens and a third or fourth-round pick?
Pickens is playing on the$27.3 million franchise tag, but a sign-and-trade typo deal would work. I’ve questioned how Schottenheimer has used him this season after he caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards last year, yet the head coach barely gets him involved.
If the Cowboys aren’t convinced they want to pay him long-term, why wouldn’t they at least explore his value?
Crosby would give Parker an elite defensive player who can rush the passer and hold his own against the run.
The question is, would the Raiders accept that offer? They do need a receiver, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
I would call anyway.
Will McDonald IV: Why Are the Jets Keeping Him on the Bench?
Will McDonald IV might be the most interesting player on my list as a trade deadline target, especially after Monday’s reports that he requested a trade.
The former first-round pick recorded 10.5 sacks in 2024 and another eight in 2025.
Now he’s sitting on three sacks through nine games, with his playing time reduced under Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. The kid is so mad about playing time he asked to play special teams. He needs to be moved.
Before anyone says there is a reason he isn’t playing, it’s because he is undersized and not good against the run.
The Jets also changed their defensive scheme, added other pass rushers, and McDonald became a situational player. He’s only played 263 defensive snaps this year.
You don’t get 18.5 sacks over two seasons by accident.
The other good thing is he is only 27 years old, and the Jets exercised his fifth-year option, putting him under contract through 2027.
The front office would need to get Parker’s approval before this move because McDonald is undersized at 245 pounds, but Von Miller can coach him up. Parker would need a plan to use his speed without creating problems somewhere else.
I would start with a fourth-round pick and see what New York says. His $13.8 million dollar salary could be a factor too.
Aaron Glenn has said McDonald isn’t going anywhere, and maybe that’s the end of it, but If Jerry wants to make a splash, why not try to get the deal finished with a team you’ve worked with in the past?
Josh Sweat: I’m Not Paying Arizona’s Price
Josh Sweat has the strongest reported connection to Dallas, and his history with Parker makes him the obvious trade candidate.
The two worked together in Philadelphia, where Sweat helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl. He followed that up with a 12-sack season in Arizona last year.
The problem with him is that he’s only had three sacks this season, and Arizona wants a high Day 2 draft pick, potentially a second-round pick.
That’s too high for me.
Sweat will turn 30 next offseason, has dealt with knee injuries, and wants his contract adjusted. Even though he’s already got a four-year, $76 million deal.
I think Dallas has spent too much already rebuilding this defense to start handing out second-round picks for players whose production has dropped.
I know why Parker would want him. There’s always value in getting a guy who knows the defensive system and has been successful in it, but that doesn’t make somebody worth the sticker price.
If the Cowboys can get Arizona to lower the trade price, I’d listen. Otherwise, I would want Dallas to look somewhere else.
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