The Dallas Cowboys are fresh off a convincing Week 5 win over the New York Jets, but the defensive side of the ball remains an ongoing concern. With the NFL trade deadline approaching on November 4, 2025, the team’s front office could look to strengthen a defense that has struggled to keep pace with its high-powered offense.
Dallas currently boasts one of the league’s top-five scoring attacks, averaging 30.2 points per game. However, the defense has allowed 30.8 points per contest, ranking among the worst in the NFL.
The absence of star pass rusher Micah Parsons has only magnified those issues. While the unit showed improvement against the Jets, upcoming matchups against stronger offensive lines could expose their lack of depth on the edge.
This has sparked speculation about a potential trade with the Miami Dolphins for pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, a move that could provide much-needed stability in the trenches.
Phillips emerges as a logical trade target for Dallas defense
Miami’s Jaelan Phillips has surfaced as a potential solution for the Cowboys’ pass-rush struggles. The 26-year-old defender has started 34 games for the Dolphins since being selected No. 18 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, Phillips combines athleticism and power, traits that once drew pre-draft comparisons to Raiders standout Maxx Crosby.
“Edge defender with plus physical attributes and a motor that keeps him working and attacking throughout the rep,” NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his 2021 scouting report. “Philips might have the combination of length and athleticism that would allow teams to look at him with a hand on the ground or standing depending on his weight.”
Also read: Jaelan Phillips stays upbeat, but Dolphins’ 1-4 start exposes cracks in McDaniel’s plan
Phillips is playing out the final year of his rookie deal, which totaled $14 million, and is currently on a fifth-year option worth $13.2 million for 2025. With free agency looming next offseason, Miami could be open to moving him rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently projected that the Cowboys could acquire Phillips for a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick, calling the price “reasonable” for a player who could start immediately.
“Teams in need of pass-rushing help might be able to pry Jaelan Phillips away from the Miami Dolphins for a reasonable price,”
Knox wrote, noting Miami’s 1-4 record and deep defensive rotation that includes Bradley Chubb, Zach Sieler, Matthew Judon, and rookie Chop Robinson.
“Injuries have impacted Phillips over the past few years, but he’s still only 26 years old and should interest teams looking to invest in a younger defender,” Knox added.
If the Cowboys decide to act, acquiring Phillips could be a smart midseason gamble to balance one of the NFL’s most lopsided teams -- an elite offense paired with a defense still trying to find its rhythm.