The Dallas Cowboys added defensive starters this offseason, but the unit still ranks 31st against the run and lasts on third down. The November 10 trade deadline has put Josh Sweat in the Cowboys’ conversation, while Maxx Crosby remains a stronger possibility. Jerry Jones has already spent premium picks on defense. His next move must be fixed, not pressure off the edge.
The choices range from a reported fit with the Arizona Cardinals to a veteran rental with the Los Angeles Rams. Each carries a different price and solves a different problem.
Cowboys Need More Than One Pass Rusher: Exploring Their Options
Josh Sweat is Clearest Outside Target
Opponents have gained 2,616 yards, including 1,020 rushing yards, and converted 46 of 87 third downs. They average 4.7 yards per carry. Dallas has seven sacks. Early defensive concerns have not gone away. A new edge rusher helps but cannot fix every failure.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that league executives view Sweat as a strong fit for Dallas. He has two sacks in seven games. Dallas should weigh his health and contract before offering a pick. Fowler reported outside interest, not an active offer. At a fair price, Sweat is the clearest target. Dallas’ defensive trouble before Philadelphia made the need clear.
Maxx Crosby Would Cost Much More
Crosby has two sacks, but his 25 pressures rank second in the NFL. He also has 16 quarterback hits. Las Vegas is 3-4, but his availability remains uncertain. CBS Sports projected a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick as a possible price, not an official demand. His trade to Baltimore for two first-round picks collapsed after he failed his physical. Dallas has been floated as a fit, but Crosby is the costliest option.
Khalil Mack Could be a Short-Term Rental
Khalil Mack has three sacks in six games at age 35. The Chargers brought him back on a one-year, $18 million deal. Adam Schefter said Los Angeles could receive calls if its poor start continued. No report links Mack to Dallas, but his expiring contract could make him a rental. He would help the edge, not fix run defense or coverage. The Chargers could become sellers if their season keeps slipping.
Cowboys Must Fix Rest of Defense
Opponents average 145.7 rushing yards per game at 4.7 per carry. Dallas also needs linebacker and safety depth. The Cowboys sent a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh for Joey Porter Jr., then a 2027 first-round pick to the Jets for Quinnen Williams.
Jonathan Bullard, Marist Liufau and P.J. Locke have opened practice windows but remain on injured reserve. Their returns can add depth inside, at linebacker and in the secondary, but none replaces an edge rusher.
The Last Word
Dallas should call Arizona about Sweat if the price is fair. Mack deserves monitoring if the Chargers sell. Crosby only makes sense if the Raiders lower their demands. Dallas has already traded a 2027 first-round pick for Williams and a 2028 second-rounder for Porter. Another costly deal could leave too few picks for the linebacker group, run defense, and secondary. Jones should judge each move by how many problems it fixes. A pass rusher can change third down but cannot repair every run fit or coverage miss.
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