Grade the Quinnen Williams trade

[Hawkeye19]

They traded for a premier defensive player and paid a high price to do it.

Ultimately— they traded Micah for Clark, Williams, and a move up in the draft from their 2026 2nd rounder to GB’s 20261st rounder

They are paying those two guys roughly what Micah costs, so will their production justify the trade?

Teams will have a much harder time running the ball and the D is much stouter in the middle. Iff you want toughness and strength in the core, you should be happy with the swap

If you want speed and premier pass rush, then this trade is obviously a step back (though Williams can certainly disrupt the pocket on a regular basis from inside)

I am overall happy with the swap. The run D has been terrible for years so this is a big step in the right direction

 

[cowboys1981]

Definitely an A. I'd rather use the first on a proven player in his prime over an u proven rookie who will likely bust.

 

[Kingofholland]

Williams is entering the later part of his prime years and though I like the player they gave up 2 premium picks for another DT. I'm interested to know where they will all play, because right now there is a ton of money committed to the position.

I wonder after all this would we rather have Williams, Clark and the 1st that's basically a trade up from the 2nd or Micah Parsons?

 

[boysfanindc]

Williams is entering the later part of his prime years and though I like the player they gave up 2 premium picks for another DT. I'm interested to know where they will all play, because right now there is a ton of money committed to the position.

He is 27 and DT's can play at high level into their mid 30's.

 

[FVSTONE]

I give it a C. We basically forfeited the draft capital we had gained from the Micah trade and now DT is a logjam. Good chance Clark is let go in the offseason, which forfeits another piece from the Micah trade.

Considering the team has no picks in the 2nd or 3rd rounds in 2026 now, I fully expect a trade down with the GB first rounder. Hopefully they can get a top 5 pick in the 2nd and 3rd rounds with it. But if they do that, the ultimate outcome will be that we traded Micah for Williams and a 3rd rounder. I’m not sure I like that trade as much as having the draft capital we had before today.

The only thing I hate about this trade is the fact that the Jets get the better of the the two 1st rd picks in 2026. JJ should have made the Jets pick one or the other and be done with it. The way the Packers have been tanking lately it appears that their 2026 1st they traded maybe a pretty good 1st rd pick.

 

[FVSTONE]

Williams is entering the later part of his prime years and though I like the player they gave up 2 premium picks for another DT. I'm interested to know where they will all play, because right now there is a ton of money committed to the position.

I wonder after all this would we rather have Williams, Clark and the 1st that's basically a trade up from the 2nd or Micah Parsons?

This dude is far better than both the 1st and 2nd JJ drafted 3 years ago. Williams is a beast who is going to play his butt off now that he’s out of the Jet’s uniform.

 

[diamonddelts]

This dude is far better than both the 1st and 2nd JJ drafted 3 years ago. Williams is a beast who is going to play his butt off now that he’s out of the Jet’s uniform.

From one losing culture to another losing culture. I'd say it's a lateral move for him.

 

[Bobhaze]

Williams is a dawg for sure. A real powerhouse at a position we desperately need help. That’s good.

But this isn’t fantasy football. All great players have to have the right supporting cast around them to make the TEAM successful. I’m giving this trade a B at first because I have zero confidence this FO knows how to build a great roster.

I’m hoping this becomes an A. But I can’t give it an A until this defense proves it’s a ton better than it is now.

 

[Bullflop]

It's a good trade to get Williams -- that's for doggone certain. He will determine his grade in time. For the present, we're better off than we were before he was acquired. How much remains to be seen in the days, weeks and months ahead. I'm excited to see that deals are being made. It's about time.

This defense took a long time getting this awful. It's going to take some time for us to escape that level. More good moves like the pair that we're seeing today may come in due time. Let's just be relieved to see that moves are happening. We're always wanting good deals. Good steps are here! It's nice.

 

[Kwyn]

This dude is far better than both the 1st and 2nd JJ drafted 3 years ago. Williams is a beast who is going to play his butt off now that he’s out of the Jet’s uniform.

He played his butt off while he was there.

It’s too bad that last year and this year he’s started to slow a bit but I actually think Eberflus’ defense, which requires the tackles to penetrate, will help him rebound a bit.

 

[Scottishcowboy]

I just don't know why so many grade this as an A when it could be F.......i went D.

We traded away a probable HOF lock for 2 1sts and a 1 year DT rental (too expensive and now the odd man out).

We replaced Parsons with an older player who while very good, isn't at the very top of his position.

Worse......if 2026 is a bad season (and it easily could be....Dak could have another leg snap), then the 1st in 2027 could be top 10 / even top 5 ! The draft "points" we give up for Williams may end up more than what we get for Parsons.

And finally, our D is about 5 or 6 players away, I was quietly hoping we traded back with 1 of our 1s in 2026 so we had say, 2 late 1s and 2 2s kind of picks and maybe the same in the 2027 draft. Ain''t happening now.

Williams is a very good players, don't get me wrong but I see this as yet another missed opportunity to kick start this team with multiple players..........hang around the rim time incoming!

 

[csirl]

We need players who will be productive in 2-3 years time. By then this guy will be over 30 and a free agent.

 

[Majic]

I just don't know why so many grade this as an A when it could be F.......i went D.

We traded away a probable HOF lock for 2 1sts and a 1 year DT rental (too expensive and now the odd man out).

We replaced Parsons with an older player who while very good, isn't at the very top of his position.

Worse......if 2026 is a bad season (and it easily could be....Dak could have another leg snap), then the 1st in 2027 could be top 10 / even top 5 ! The draft "points" we give up for Williams may end up more than what we get for Parsons.

And finally, our D is about 5 or 6 players away, I was quietly hoping we traded back with 1 of our 1s in 2026 so we had say, 2 late 1s and 2 2s kind of picks and maybe the same in the 2027 draft. Ain''t happening now.

Williams is a very good players, don't get me wrong but I see this as yet another missed opportunity to kick start this team with multiple players..........hang around the rim time incoming!

What you've typed up is exactly my thoughts. The draft could have opened up for us. The Jets were clever enough to insist on our 2027 pick which will be a high quality draft.

I think I would rather be in the Jets position with their roster than ours. Just look at their up and coming picks. This trade should not have been made

 

[Hawkeye0202]

people are too precious with draft picks, man. Quinnen Williams is a top 5 DT (probably the 3rd or 4th best) that first round draft pick has a 50 50 chance of being garbage. I'll take a few certain years of a DT that has all-pros under his belt for a defense that's nearly dead last in the league over a prospect who will probably bust out any day of the week.

Some fans are Madden professionals. I think Bob Hayes has a thread showing we have actually drafted MORE defensive players over the last 10+ years but only a small percentage have actually made an impact that's noteworthy. This is my issue......draft picks have a 50/50 chance of NOT being successful as noted. Even one truly successful year doesn't guarantee you have a long-term impact player ( Diggs, Bland, Jets just traded Gardner).

Of course, I am not saying don't draft but rather, nothing wrong with adding using picks to jump start a defense as bad as our with a couple high-level vet players. Especially considering we are in WIN NOW mode with a 2/3 year window.


https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profo...d-by-trades-for-quinnen-williams-logan-wilson

Cowboys are “pumped” by trades for Quinnen Williams, Logan Wilson​

• By
• Charean Williams

Published November 4, 2025 09:31 PM

 

[Hawkeye0202]

It's interesting that for years, we have accused Jerry of avoiding trades for impact players and he FINALLY pulls one off and what happens? Many fans are STILL not happy for various reasons ( player not worth it, he paid too much, could have drafted a better player ). For me, it's a good trade coz
** Quinnen Williams is an ALL-PRO player ( top 3-5 )
** Fills a critical position of need
** Long-term young player
**We still have an extra 1st-round pick, meaning we still have plenty of draft capital. **
** We are in a WIN NOW mode

My point is, Jerry is finally using another avenue to acquire impact players, and fans are still complaining without seeing if it works out.

 

[Kwyn]

What you've typed up is exactly my thoughts. The draft could have opened up for us. The Jets were clever enough to insist on our 2027 pick which will be a high quality draft.

I think I would rather be in the Jets position with their roster than ours. Just look at their up and coming picks. This trade should not have been made

The Jets owner, besides being a complete moron, is still better than Jerry because he has been willing to support full rebuilds. They are definitely positioned to take advantage of a blank slate. They’ll take a shot on a new QB and build around him.

I’m just surprised they didn’t take the 4th that Kansas City offered for Breece. There’s no way he fits in a rebuild plan.

 

[Majic]

It's interesting that for years, we have accused Jerry of avoiding trades for impact players and he FINALLY pulls one off and what happens? Many fans are STILL not happy for various reasons ( player not worth it, he paid too much, could have drafted a better player ). For me, it's a good trade coz
** Quinnen Williams is an ALL-PRO player ( top 3-5 )
** Fills a critical position of need
** Long-term young player
**We still have an extra 1st-round pick, meaning we still have plenty of draft capital. **
** We are in a WIN NOW mode

My point is, Jerry is finally using another avenue to acquire impact players, and fans are still complaining without seeing if it works out.

If we were in a WIN NOW mode we would not have traded Parsons.

We all have opinions on this board some for, some against but when you look at what neutral analysts are saying the majority hate the Parsons trade and the majority are surprised at the Williams move

 

[Kwyn]

If we were in a WIN NOW mode we would not have traded Parsons.

We all have opinions on this board some for, some against but when you look at what neutral analysts are saying the majority hate the Parsons trade and the majority are surprised at the Williams move

in Jerry’s mind, he’s always in win now mode.

What happened this time was that he got so mad at Parsons that he made a stupid decision in the heat of the moment. That trade demand broke his mind. Since then, he’s been chasing his tail with a series of reactionary decisions, often changing course week by week.

There is no plan.

For fans, 48 hours ago, everyone was in rebuild mode. Now, a big move, and suddenly everyone is back in win now mode.

They, we, are obviously just chasing Jerry like a pack of dogs chases a car. In this case though, the car is careening back and forth across the street, crashing into every other car on the block.

 

[Acceptablename]

B- , I don’t think the trade helps us make the playoffs, added points for mazi, would have rather gave a 1 and a 3 instead if the trade is happening

Well I would've rather just give her a seventh round pic but it takes two to tango

 

[Hawkeye0202]

If we were in a WIN NOW mode we would not have traded Parsons.

We all have opinions on this board some for, some against but when you look at what neutral analysts are saying the majority hate the Parsons trade and the majority are surprised at the Williams move

First, I was and still am a huge fan of Parsons' talent and would have preferred to keep him and get him help. But since that didn't happen, I'm OK with the trade coz it allows us to add SEVERAL high-level players collectively via draft, free agent, and trades. Exactly what THIS defense needs. We need SEVERAL pieces ......one play can't do. Garrett had FIVE sacks Sunday and the Browns still lost and as of today, they are a top 5 drafting team.

As stated in many posts, my preference was to use Parsons' trade capital to acquire a mix of high-level vets ( for talent and leadership) AND rookies. As you say, some may disagree but I love the trade(s).