Dallas is utilizing New York's roster sale to continue its defensive revamp with another blockbuster trade on deadline day.
The Jets traded star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and DT Mazi Smith, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday, per sources.
Dallas later announced the deal.
New York will receive the higher of the Cowboys' two first-round picks in 2027. Dallas had their own plus Green Bay's first-round selection courtesy of August's Micah Parsons trade.
The Cowboys added Williams on the same day they traded Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, while the Jets dealt Williams within hours of trading cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts in another stunning move.
Williams, the No. 3-overall pick in the 2019 draft, has collected 40.0 sacks through six and half seasons, the sixth most among DTs since 2019, per Next Gen Stats. His 281 QB pressures ranks seventh among DTs and 118 of those pressures have come under 2.5 seconds, which ranks fourth in that same span, per NGS.
The three-time Pro Bowl DT is a major boost for a Cowboys defense that has mightily struggled thus far this season.
Dallas has allowed 397.4 yards and 30.8 points per game, both of which rank 31st in the league through Week 9. It's negated the Cowboys' offensive success this season, as Dak Prescott and Co. have produced 378.4 YPG and 29.2 PPG, which rank third and fourth in the NFL, respectively.
Only the 1950 New York Yanks have averaged 30-plus PPG while allowing 30-plus PPG in NFL history, per NFL Research.
The Cowboys are doing their due diligence to ensure that infamous history isn't made by bringing in Williams, 27, a hulking run stuffer who also has great ability to disrupt a passing pocket. He joins Kenny Clark, another former first-round pick who arrived in the Parsons trade, on a Cowboys' interior defensive line that can't be matched on paper.
Smith, 24, has struggled to make an impact in Dallas after being selected with the No. 26 overall pick of the 2023 draft and has rarely been on the field in his third season. He gets a fresh start in New York, where there will be opportunity for him to play in Williams' absence.
The Jets (1-7) trading Williams and Gardner now brings their first-round pick total to five over the next two years, plus the extra 2026 second-rounder from Dallas.
Following a disappointing loss to the Cardinals on Monday night, the Cowboys will use their bye in Week 10 to acclimate Williams to the defense as Dallas (3-5-1) aims to save its season.