The Dallas Cowboys are big-game hunting edge-rushers ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, but they may need to settle for a good player instead of a great one.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on Wednesday that the Cowboys have pursued both Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals.
“My sense is that Dallas would be pretty surprised if the Raiders actually moved on from Crosby, with whom owner Mark Davis has a deep affection,” Fowler wrote. “The Cowboys — armed with two first-rounders in 2026 and seven picks in total before compensatory selections — also have looked into Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, whom the Bengals don’t plan to deal.
“Several other edge-rushers will be available league-wide, so expect the Cowboys to get involved in various talks. They have shown an eagerness to trade for players on rookie deals, which worked out great with [George] Pickens, who is having a contract year for the ages.”
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The big question then becomes if Dallas can’t land an elite player to replace Micah Parsons, who is out there for them? One name that makes considerable sense is that of Jermaine Johnson II, a 26-year-old defensive end and former first-round pick in 2022 (No. 26 overall).
Matt Bowen of ESPN joined Fowler in authoring a trade column Wednesday that ranked Johnson as the 10th-best player who could potentially move ahead of the deadline, as well as one of the more likely movers with a 35 percent chance of getting traded.
“An Achilles injury forced Johnson to miss 15 games in 2024, and he had to sit for three earlier this season with an ankle issue,” Bowen wrote. “But when healthy, he has the strength and the lower-body quickness to attack the pocket. Johnson had his best numbers in 2023 (pre-Achilles injury), when he totaled 7.5 sacks and 16 pressures.”
Johnson, a Pro Bowler in 2023, is in the final year of his $13 million rookie contract. However, the Jets have already exercised the fifth-year team option on his deal for 2026, which is worth $13.4 million for that season.
Dallas would be in position to get quality value on Johnson over the next year and a half if he remains healthy, at which point the Cowboys could decide on his long-term future with the franchise.
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