Cowboys on the Hunt: The Trade Deadline Quest for Edge-Rushing Talent
In the heart of their season, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads, desperately seeking edge-rushing talent to bolster their defensive line following the loss of star Micah Parsons. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys have set their sights high, pursuing elite talents like Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders and Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals. However, these ambitious targets may prove elusive. Fowler notes that Dallas “would be pretty surprised if the Raiders actually moved on from Crosby,” given owner Mark Davis’s “deep affection” for the player. Similarly, the Bengals appear unwilling to part with Hendrickson despite Dallas’s interest. The Cowboys aren’t coming empty-handed to these negotiations—they possess considerable draft capital, including two first-rounders in 2026 and seven picks overall before compensatory selections. This aggressive approach has already paid dividends with their acquisition of George Pickens, who is enjoying a “contract year for the ages.”
With the likelihood of landing a superstar edge rusher diminishing, the Cowboys may need to pivot toward more attainable targets. One name emerging as a logical option is Jermaine Johnson II of the New York Jets, a 26-year-old defensive end and former first-round pick (26th overall in 2022). In ESPN’s recent trade column, Matt Bowen ranked Johnson as the tenth-best player potentially available at the deadline, giving him a 35 percent chance of being moved. What makes Johnson particularly intriguing is his combination of potential and contract situation. Though injuries have limited his playing time—an Achilles injury sidelined him for 15 games in 2024, and an ankle issue cost him three games earlier this season—Johnson has shown considerable promise when healthy. His best performance came in 2023 before his Achilles injury, when he recorded 7.5 sacks and 16 pressures, earning him Pro Bowl recognition.
The financial aspects of acquiring Johnson could be particularly appealing for Dallas. Currently in the final year of his $13 million rookie contract, Johnson has had his fifth-year team option exercised by the Jets for 2026, valued at $13.4 million. This arrangement would give the Cowboys a season and a half to evaluate Johnson’s fit and health before making any long-term commitment. Essentially, Dallas could secure a former first-round talent with Pro Bowl credentials at a relatively controlled cost—a stark contrast to the massive contracts that would likely be required to land established stars like Crosby or Hendrickson. This approach aligns with the Cowboys’ recent strategy of targeting players on rookie deals, which has proven successful with their Pickens acquisition.
Dallas’s urgency to secure edge-rushing talent stems directly from the void left by Parsons’s absence. Without their defensive cornerstone, the Cowboys have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, exposing weaknesses in their secondary. The ripple effects have been evident across the entire defense, with opposing offenses finding more time to exploit coverage gaps and establish rhythm. Adding a player of Johnson’s caliber wouldn’t merely address the edge position—it would potentially alleviate pressure on the secondary by forcing quicker throws and disrupting offensive timing. This holistic impact explains why the Cowboys appear willing to part with valuable draft capital to secure immediate defensive help.
The broader context of this pursuit reveals much about the Cowboys’ organizational mindset. Despite a season that hasn’t gone according to plan, Dallas clearly sees itself as a contender that can salvage its playoff hopes with strategic reinforcements. This aggressive approach at the trade deadline contrasts sharply with teams looking to sell off assets and build for the future. Owner Jerry Jones has consistently shown a willingness to make bold moves when he believes his team is within striking distance of contention. The pursuit of high-profile edge rushers, even if unsuccessful, demonstrates that the organization believes this season remains salvageable with the right personnel additions.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Cowboys find themselves navigating a delicate balance between ambition and pragmatism. While the dream scenarios involving Crosby or Hendrickson appear increasingly unlikely, alternatives like Johnson represent a middle path—players with significant upside who might be obtainable without mortgaging the franchise’s future. Whether Dallas ultimately lands Johnson or pivots to another edge-rushing option, their actions in the coming days will reveal much about how they view their short-term competitive window and long-term roster construction strategy. For a franchise with the league’s highest profile and expectations to match, settling for anything less than a blockbuster move might feel disappointing, but finding the right player—rather than simply the most famous one—could ultimately prove the wiser approach for sustaining success beyond this season.
