It was an active NFL trade deadline for Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, who made moves to strengthen the defense by acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson.
On Tuesday, Dallas finalized deals for Williams and Wilson, drawing a range of evaluations from national sports outlets. ESPN’s Seth Walder strongly criticized the Williams acquisition, writing it was a “horrific trade for the Cowboys” and giving Dallas an F grade. Walder added: “It is completely unfathomable for a team like Dallas to be trading away major draft resources for a soon-to-be-28-year-old defensive tackle on a salary-heavy contract in a season when it has a 7% chance to make the playoffs.” However, he assigned the Cowboys a B- grade for obtaining Wilson, stating that it “does look like he could help the Cowboys.”
Yahoo Sports had a more positive view, granting Dallas a B+ for their overall trade moves. The outlet wrote that adding Williams “instantly improves the defense” and called Wilson’s addition “a potential upgrade” at little cost.
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz graded the Williams trade as a B+, writing: “the move changes the complexion of a unit short on any hope of a turnaround, and the future is bright.” For Wilson’s acquisition, Middlehurst-Schwartz awarded Dallas a C-, describing it as “an awfully big kerfuffle for a so-so return.”
FOX Sports reporter Greg Auman assigned both trades C- grades. In his assessment of Williams’ arrival, Auman said bringing in an experienced lineman does not guarantee playoff qualification while noting draft assets were spent. He described the deal for Wilson as “a fairly harmless trade.”
The Athletic’s Jeff Rowe gave Dallas’ move for Williams a B-, calling him potentially “a cornerstone piece for at least another couple of years.” Rowe graded the Wilson pickup with C+, referring to him as “a productive player” who could benefit from changing teams.
Media reactions highlight differing expectations surrounding Jones’ strategy during this NFL season. As new players join under his leadership, attention will turn to whether these acquisitions meet hopes placed in them by fans and analysts.
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