The Dallas Cowboys traded for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. on September 30th, but this past Sunday feels like when he finally showed up for Dallas. We'll look at Porter's strong showing in Green Bay and other Dallas 2027 free agents in this week's stock report.
The Joey Porter Jr. trade is already paying off
Porter, traded amidst a contract dispute with the Steelers, was acquired following Dallas' Week 3 loss to the Ravens in Brazil. He did play the following Sunday against the Texans, but was limited to just 25 defensive snaps as he adjusted to his new team. Then he missed the following game against Tampa Bay with an illness.
Despite a reported ankle injury leading up to last week's game in Green Bay, Porter started and was a rare bright spot for Dallas in an otherwise ugly game. Packers quarterback Jordan Love rarely threw his way, and had minimal success when doing so.
Granted, Love was smart to keep exploiting DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, and other struggling members of Dallas' secondary. But if Porter can keep shutting down his side of the field, it could help Christian Parker to scheme up more ways to help the rest of his defense.
Even if it doesn't reap rewards for the Cowboys in 2026, Porter's strong play could pay off in the offseason. It's be assumed since the trade that Dallas probably isn't going to give Porter a new contract. Rather, they're hoping that he can help their defense this year and then net a strong compensatory draft pick when he signs a big deal next spring.
But if we get to the offseason and Porter is one of the few defensive strengths, will Dallas let him walk away? Perhaps the decision between former Steelers seeking new contracts becomes harder than we think.
The George Pickens frustration watch is intensifying
While Porter improved his free agent stock, Pickens' got held back last week in a rough outing for Dallas' offense. He led the team with 73 yards on six catches, but those came off an inefficient 11 targets.
Pickens wasn't alone or to blame for this. CeeDee Lamb needed 18 targets to get to nine catches for 70 yards. Dak Prescott, Brian Schottenheimer, and Klayton Adams were the real culprits here, seemingly having no answers for what Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was throwing at them.
The brewing discontent with execution at QB and offensive play-calling or general strategy is a legitimate concern. Pickens was a good citizen last year, even with the expiring contract, but that was when he was allowed to put up All-Pro stats. While things were looking up in the previous two games, Sunday night was a reminder that he's still dependent on others to have the kind of season he needs.
With millions of dollars at stake, that lack of control can get very frustrating. This isn't an assumption that Pickens will go off at some point, but just pointing to a realistic possibility. Impending free agency may be what drives him to success in ways, but could also be a powder keg if this offense doesn't return to last year's form soon.
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