How Dallas Cowboys' Quinnen Williams, Logan Wilson trades were graded by experts

Mike Moraitis

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How Dallas Cowboys' Quinnen Williams, Logan Wilson trades were graded by experts image

The Dallas Cowboys pulled off one of the biggest moves of the entire NFL trade deadline on Tuesday when they made a blockbuster deal with the New York Jets, acquiring star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.

Dallas stunned the world by landing the elite interior defender, who cost two draft picks, a 2026 second-rounder and a 2027 first-rounder, and defensive lineman Mazi Smith. It goes without saying that's a huge addition for a Cowboys defense that needed a big boost to both its run defense and pass-rush.

But that wasn't all the Jets did. Hours before the Williams trade went down, the Cowboys landed linebacker Logan Wilson in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals that only cost a seventh-round pick.

Say what you want about Jerry Jones and the Micah Parsons trade and every other issue Cowboys fans rightly have with him, it's hard to get mad at what he did on Tuesday.

Now, let's take a look at how experts graded Jerry's two moves.

Quinnen Williams trade grades

Vinnie Iyer, AllSportsPeople: A

Iyer: "The Cowboys needed to make a big splash for an impact inside disruptor with their defensive line woes vs. Run and pass and Williams fills two needed bills. The Cowboys gave up only future considerations to get a transcendent with the goal of a long-term star helping them."

John Breech, CBS Sports: B-

Breech: "The addition of the three-time Pro Bowler is a monstrous upgrade on the defensive line for the Cowboys. One reason the defense has been so bad is because the defensive line hasn't been able to generate any pressure, which is a big reason why opposing quarterbacks have a 112.6 passer rating against the Cowboys this year. Dallas has also struggled to stop the run because they don't have anyone in the middle who can plug things up, but now, with one trade, they added a superstar who should be able to help fix both of those problems."

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: B+

Middlehurst-Schwartz: "There might be too much work to be done on the 31st-ranked scoring defense for Williams' arrival to save a 3-5-1 campaign. But the move changes the complexion of a unit short on any hope of a turnaround, and the future is bright."

Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: B+

Manzano: "Landing Williams is more about contending next year without sacrificing all of the flexibility the team gained in trading Parsons. But Jones doesn’t get a complete pass for essentially sacrificing this season for a shot at glory in 2026."

Logan Wilson trade grades

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: C-

Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Most of all, it's difficult to see how this move does much to transform a unit that has so far to go before it can offer up any kind of consistent resistance under coordinator Matt Eberflus. The post-Micah Parsons pass rush isn't where it should be, and Wilson's blitzing skills won't significantly shift the outlook there. The coverage problems extend well beyond one player, and that's far from Wilson's strong suit at this point in his career."

Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: D

Verderame: "Wilson is an upgrade, but he’s also an aging player who doesn’t move the needle for Jones and his 31st-ranked defense. He’s signed through 2027 with cap hits of $6 and $6.6 million. Not cheap."

Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: B

Sullivan: "While it may feel like a last-ditch effort with the club sitting at 3-5-1 on the year, Wilson does have the potential to help them pressure the quarterback. The veteran linebacker has the third-highest pass-rushing grade among linebackers this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Giving yourself a puncher's chance to improve on defense and with hopes of pushing back into the playoff conversation is certainly worth giving up a 2026 seventh-rounder."

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Editorial Team