Dallas Cowboys predicted to land 11-sack edge rusher at NFL trade deadline
The Dallas Cowboys have gotten completely different results from their offense and defense this season.
On offense, the Cowboys sport one of the best units in the NFL. However, on defense, Dallas has one of the worst units in the league. The Cowboys rank 31st against the pass, 29th against the run and 31st in points allowed.
One major issue the Cowboys have is getting after the quarterback, as Dallas has just 15 sacks through eight games, which ranks tied for the ninth-fewest.
As a result, the Cowboys have reportedly been shopping around for an edge rusher and Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report predicts their search will end with a trade for New York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson.
Gagnon projects the Cowboys will give up a Day 2 pick for Johnson’s services.
“With more of an eye for Will McDonald IV among their edges on rookie deals, the Jets could decide to escape Johnson’s contract before an expensive fifth-year option kicks in for 2026,” Gagnon writes. “Meanwhile, the Cowboys are looking to fill that void left by Micah Parsons.”
While Johnson has said he doesn’t expect to be traded, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says that teams he has spoken to believe the Jets edge rusher could be available, although Fowler does go on to add that “it feels like he’s staying.”
Despite all that, a Johnson trade shouldn’t be ruled out. After all, the Jets are 1-7 and need to add more draft picks to aid their rebuild.
Johnson is having a quiet year with just one sack and 14 pressures, but it stands to reason he’ll be better moving forward the further removed he is from his torn Achilles suffered last season.
Johnson showed a ton of promise in 2023 with 7.5 sacks, so he’s clearly capable of more.
Johnson’s age (26) and upside are two attractive things about him, but so is his contract, which runs through 2026. That means Johnson would be a multi-year solution for Dallas, especially if he earns a contract extension.
And, at $13.4 million next year, Johnson could prove to be a total steal if he returns to form.
The Cowboys have a massive need along the edge and the draft capital to make a move. Acquiring Johnson at the deadline would be an ideal trade that would not only help Dallas now, but in the future, also.
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Mike Moraitis
Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.
