The Dallas Cowboys are 3-2 on the season but it has been made painfully clear that they are not among the true contenders in the NFC. While a playoff spot is certainly within reach, there are a few areas of the team that need to be shored up for them to make any real noise in the postseason.
A lot of focus has been on the offensive side of the ball lately, especially after star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb made some comments that could be taken as shots at the coaching staff. He has had over four receptions only once this season and his frustrations were mounting.
He certainly wasn’t the only player frustrated after the Cowboys were walloped by the San Francisco 49ers, 42-10. That was a humbling loss for Dallas, quickly learning they are not yet on that level of the top teams in the NFC.
Looking to get there, the Cowboys should be open for business ahead of the trade deadline. Adding another weapon offensively will be suggested by some, but if they really want to make an impact this season, their defense needs to be improved.
The Cowboys are working on overcoming the loss of cornerback Trevon Diggs, who tore his ACL in practice earlier this season. But, their pass coverage has held up without him; it is their run defense that has been troublesome.
That is a big reason why Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report listed them as a potential landing spot for New York Giants star defensive tackle, Leonard Williams. With the Giants trending in the wrong direction at 1-4, they would look to move some veteran pieces in exchange for draft capital.
On an expiring contract, Williams is an ideal trade candidate. Trading with a division rival is never an easy task, but if the Cowboys can present the Giants with a strong offer, they will have to think long and hard about accepting it.
“If the Dallas Cowboys can generate the cap space, targeting Williams would make sense. They are struggling against the run, allowing an average of 4.5 yards per carry. The Cincinnati Bengals are in an even worse position defensively, allowing 5.3 yards per rush in 2023.
Both Cincinnati and Dallas have more than $12 million in cap space, meaning it might not take much effort to work out a deal for Williams.”
Williams has a base salary of $18 million so it will take a little bit of salary cap wizardry to get a deal done. But, given how big of a hole the defensive tackle position has been for the Cowboys in recent seasons, it would be a worthwhile move to make.
Williams would be a huge upgrade to the defensive line in Dallas. He is currently ranked 18th among interior defensive linemen in PFF with a grade of 76.1. He would make for a dominant pairing with Osa Odighizuwa, who is ranked 13th with a 79.7 overall grade.
