This trade is a change for the Cowboys

[Kwyn]

Only the purest hater could look at today and say this is business as usual.

Everyone with a brain new that fix this defense was a two year process at a minimum.

We needed seven new starters on defense. Still need five and hopefully we get one more this week

Two in the draft and then two or three next year

 

[Kwyn]

Why are people so intent on making this harder than it needs to be and trying to get me to take more meds than I am already on?

I said the first MOVE this year when normally the first MOVE was signing the long snapper.

Quit trying to be an enabler with me and my meds.

Some of the fans really don’t follow football closely enough to understand roster building.

Then there are other who can’t ever be objective about the team

And both sides of our extremes have people who fit both of those descriptions

 

[Kwyn]

In this hybrid version of the 3-4, you will see 1 stand-up OLB on the weak side, but you will see a DLaw type DE on the other side, a guy who is good vs the run, can set and hold the edge, but can also get up field to pressure the QB.

If EZ takes the next step, he may be the standup edge or we will draft one who will be called an OLB/edge. The Gary signing is critical in my opinion because none of our retained edges can play that strong side. Eze, Houston, maybe Liafau.

Nice post

 

[Kwyn]

Interesting to put it in perspective:
We gave GB: Parsons (40m salary) and a fourth round pick and got in return:

Gary, Clark, Quinnen, and a TBD first round pick
(Combined salaries 62m although im sure will change with restructures or new deals)


I have to say, I think the FO did well on this and our defense got a LOT better

There’s a tendency to start combining multiple moves to tie them altogether.
Things get lost in the mix. In this case, where’s the second we sent? Where’s the fist?

Let’s keep in mind that this is actually what went down last year.

We receive
Quinnen Williams
Kenny Clark
Green Bay 2026 1st
Green Bay 2027 1st

We give
Micah Parsons
Mazi Smith
Cowboys 2026 2nd
Cowboys 2027 1st

 

[gtb1943]

Why are people so intent on making this harder than it needs to be and trying to get me to take more meds than I am already on?

I said the first MOVE this year when normally the first MOVE was signing the long snapper.

Quit trying to be an enabler with me and my meds.

more weed less meds

 

[MRV52]

They could have really fixed the defense so much for All in bull from Jones. If you guys are happy enjoy the season but this team as it stands will be very hard to make the playoffs again.

 

[Kwyn]

Ok, I’m convinced most fans really don’t know what they are talking about

They follow the team kinda casually, pick up on a few meme comments and then pop in at Free Agency, the Draft and then training camp and that’s the sum total of their off season “research”.

Then they chirp about the salary cap and contracts of all things, something they’ve spend five minutes on, and start firing off hot takes

 

[LatinMind]

They always trade for guys who have worn out their welcome with their old team.

Last year it was Pickins.

But still a good player for a 4th.

Dallas raped the Steelers. Good is a huge understatement

 

[gtb1943]

They must have knocked out the communications on the Yacht and Charlotte is doing the business
so far things are actually getting done and are pretty sensible

 

[ghst187]

There’s a tendency to start combining multiple moves to tie them altogether.
Things get lost in the mix. In this case, where’s the second we sent? Where’s the fist?

Let’s keep in mind that this is actually what went down last year.

We receive
Quinnen Williams
Kenny Clark
Green Bay 2026 1st
Green Bay 2027 1st

We give
Micah Parsons
Mazi Smith
Cowboys 2026 2nd
Cowboys 2027 1st

Forgot about the second rounder…
Add the fourth rounder and Gary
And I think we massively upgraded 3 positions on D and reduced one while swapping a second and fourth for an extra first….
Oh and got rid of the dead mazi weight
I’d say it’s looking like a win so far

 

[silver]

That’s hilarious, but I’m not dealing with it today. I disagree, and that’s all that matters. The fact they’re not here is just a coincidence.

They went after Crosby like it was a top priority, offering a first-rounder this year and a second next year, harder than most in recent memory, and they lost out—thankfully, in my opinion. The Raiders were asking too much, and that has nothing to do with where players were drafted.

We’re talking about who they are now, not their draft position. There are rumors about Osa, but again, they prioritized him and lost to a team willing to overpay.

This has nothing to do with Gary or whether a player was a first- or second-rounder.

If you think they only target former first-rounders, that’s ridiculous—they went after Crosby. They pursue players they believe fit right now, regardless of draft status. It’s not even the first official day of free agency yet; tampering just ended, and real free agency starts in two days. There’s an entire offseason ahead, so claiming they only land washed-up first-rounders is just wrong.

Last year, they traded for George Pickens, a second-round pick, which completely disproves that theory.

NEXT

Look at last year: we added eight former first-rounders.

Trades: Murray, Elam, Williams, Clark.
Signings: Thomas, Clowney, Fowler, Turner.

That’s why I think the team is clearly enamored with former first-round picks.

 

[blueblood70]

Look at last year: we added eight former first-rounders.

Trades: Murray, Elam, Williams, Clark.
Signings: Thomas, Clowney, Fowler, Turner.

That’s why I think the team is clearly enamored with former first-round picks.

They’ve gone in different directions, bringing in undrafted guys as well as second- and third-rounders. You keep pushing your narrative, but I keep asking—why wouldn’t you look at a first-rounder?

They were supposed to be among the best at their positions coming out of college, so why not give them another look?

Some of the names you mentioned prove the point—Fowler was a key role player here, leading Washington in sacks when they went to the NFC Championship. Clowney led our team in sacks last year, and Clark is a very good player.

Acting like being interested in first-rounders is a bad thing doesn’t make sense—they’ve built the roster in multiple ways.

Just last year, I pointed out George Pickens, a second-rounder who’s now seen as a top-five talent. That’s a steal, a great pickup, and he wasn’t even a first-rounder.


You can spin it however you want, but the Cowboys are just trying to improve their team. Your list doesn’t prove anything—those players have played for other teams too, so clearly other teams value first-rounders as well, even if they weren’t the ones who drafted them. It’s not like they ignore later rounds or undrafted players—that’s ridiculous. If you’re picked in the first round, chances are you have talent, so why wouldn’t they want to take a look?

Mic DROP!! BYE...

 

[silver]

They’ve gone in different directions, bringing in undrafted guys as well as second- and third-rounders. You keep pushing your narrative, but I keep asking—why wouldn’t you look at a first-rounder?

They were supposed to be among the best at their positions coming out of college, so why not give them another look?

Some of the names you mentioned prove the point—Fowler was a key role player here, leading Washington in sacks when they went to the NFC Championship. Clowney led our team in sacks last year, and Clark is a very good player.

Acting like being interested in first-rounders is a bad thing doesn’t make sense—they’ve built the roster in multiple ways.

Just last year, I pointed out George Pickens, a second-rounder who’s now seen as a top-five talent. That’s a steal, a great pickup, and he wasn’t even a first-rounder.


You can spin it however you want, but the Cowboys are just trying to improve their team. Your list doesn’t prove anything—those players have played for other teams too, so clearly other teams value first-rounders as well, even if they weren’t the ones who drafted them. It’s not like they ignore later rounds or undrafted players—that’s ridiculous. If you’re picked in the first round, chances are you have talent, so why wouldn’t they want to take a look?

Mic DROP!! BYE...

Because it’s basically scouting on the cheap. Just because someone once thought Brandon Weeden was a first-round talent doesn’t mean he actually amounts to anything. The same argument could be made about Trey Lance or Carl Lawson.

 

[Reid1boys]

It's not a good trade. His cap his is very high too. They were gonna release him and we still over paid.

we gave up NEXT years FOURTH. GB is going to quickly learn what that contract to a defensive player is going to do to their cap... this is just the start.

 

[FVSTONE]

First time in a good number of years that their first move in FA season was not signing the long snapper.

My question is, who is sitting in JJ's body and what have they done with him.

 

[blueblood70]

Because it’s basically scouting on the cheap. Just because someone once thought Brandon Weeden was a first-round talent doesn’t mean he actually amounts to anything. The same argument could be made about Trey Lance or Carl Lawson.

Again you're wrong because these same guys floated around the lead to other teams the Cowboys are no different than anyone else... I don't see where you can't see the the mistake in your philosophy..

We have in fact gone after undrafted free agents and guys who are taken in all rounds..

So yes it's quite obvious why teams would give first rounders more looks and more chances because they were taken in the 1st round but every guy you keep bringing up has made the rounds around the NFL not just the Cowboys..

 

[Blackspider214]

They always trade for guys who have worn out their welcome with their old team.

Last year it was Pickins.

But still a good player for a 4th.

Packers were about the cut him. Giving up a 4th rd pick was terrible. Another example of the Jones free agency overpaying in the market (looking at the Trey Lance trade) and getting low value when they are the ones trading away (see Amari Cooper).

 

[ConstantReboot]

Faulk is a legit option I felt. I think they take Bain if he’s there.

Faulk is terrible as a passrusher. I don't know why the people think he's a good option.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Faulk is terrible as a passrusher. I don't know why the people think he's a good option.

From everybody I’ve read he has upside as a pass rusher. Auburn didn’t ask him to do it.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Packers were about the cut him. Giving up a 4th rd pick was terrible. Another example of the Jones free agency overpaying in the market (looking at the Trey Lance trade) and getting low value when they are the ones trading away (see Amari Cooper).

From what I’ve read they gave up the forth as opposed to signing him in free agency in a bidding war. It would’ve cost more.