Report: Dallas Cowboys showed trade interest in Leonard Williams

According to a report, the Dallas Cowboys expressed interest in trading for Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams prior to their trade for Michael Bennett.

With the NFL trade deadline quickly approaching, the Dallas Cowboys figured to be purely observers rather than players in the market this year. The fact is, the Cowboys have one of the most talented rosters in the entire league. Although Dallas could always use additional depth, the team seems set to make a playoff run as-is.

Yet, the Cowboys did make a trade this past week, acquiring former Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Michael Bennett from the New England Patriots for a conditional seventh-round selection in 2021.

The Cowboys are Bennett’s fourth-team in four years. And the 33-year old’s addition is expected to help fill the void left by versatile defensive end Tyrone Crawford, who was recently placed on Injured Reserve due to a hip injury.

But prior to the Cowboys trade for Bennett, Dallas was reportedly interested in trading for New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams. Here’s what NFL Insider Adam Schefter wrote about the Cowboys having interest in the former first-rounder via ESPN.com.

"“The Jets have been receiving calls about defensive lineman Leonard Williams and wide receiver Robby Anderson, according to sources. The Cowboys were among the teams that called about Williams and expressed interest, but then they traded for former New England defensive lineman Michael Bennett, taking them out of the mix for Williams.”"

The Cowboys’ interest in someone like Williams is clear. He was the sixth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. In five seasons as a pro, Williams has yet to miss a game due to injury. And he’s racked up some solid sack totals, 17.0 sacks over his first four seasons.

Even with the trade for Bennett, the Cowboys could benefit from a consistent interior presence like Williams. But his high-draft status and single Pro Bowl nod in 2016 likely made his price tag a bit too high for Dallas. In Bennett, the Cowboys landed themselves a solid addition at a steal of a price. It’s no wonder they moved on from Williams after making that deal.

But the fact the Dallas Cowboys were even interested in Leonard Williams is worth noting. Dallas could be on the lookout for a defensive tackle next offseason with Maliek Collins currently in the final year of his rookie deal. Williams might be a name we hear again next March.

Note: A previous version of this article mistakenly had wide receiver Robby Anderson as the focus of the Dallas Cowboys’ trade interest, not Leonard Williams. We apologize for the error.