The Dallas Cowboys' defense was historically bad in 2025, but luckily they traded in Matt Eberflus for a better defensive coordinator in Christian Parker.
The defensive additions they have made were plentiful, but the pass-rush could use another impact guy beyond Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence. And that's where Alex Highsmith comes in, because if the Pittsburgh Steelers make him available, Dallas must be all over that deal.
The 28-year-old is coming off a season in which he recorded 9.5 sacks in just 13 games for Pittsburgh in 2025. With those numbers, he would've led Dallas in sacks last year. That's a low bar to clear when your leading sack artist is Jadeveon Clowney, but the impact he'd have would be major.
The Dallas Cowboys should not hesitate to trade for Alex Highsmith
It remains to be seen if the Steelers would seriously consider trading Highsmith, but he's on the outside looking in between T.J. Watt and the recently-extended Nick Herbig, which led Still Curtain's Michael Haney to start considering trade avenues Pittsburgh could get from their star pass-rusher.
And one of the three teams Haney floated in a possible trade was the Cowboys. He pitched a deal where Jerry Jones would send Dallas' 2027 third-round pick and edge rusher James Houston to The Steel City in exchange for the 2020 third-round pick. And if they were offered this, Jerry should not hesitate.
Houston was a solid depth edge for the Cowboys last season, recording a respectable 5.5 sacks despite having no starts to his name. He's no game-changer, so if he and a third-round pick are all it takes to bring in another impact EDGE after the Micah Parsons deal, you best believe it's worth it.
And Haney's rationale made it sound even better for the Cowboys:
"Khan might be hesitant to move Highsmith without a clear replacement on the edge. After a strong season in which he finished with 5.5 sacks, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher James Houston could sweeten the deal. He likely wouldn't start for the Steelers, but he'd provide solid short-term depth. The Cowboys have already added to their edge room this offseason, but they still lack a true ace at the position. Highsmith could be that player."
Given Jonathan Greenard went to Philadelphia for two third-rounders, if Houston and a third is all it takes to acquire the Charlotte product, it's worth it. Highsmith would likely be more impactful to this defense than any player drafted in the third round, and he, Gary, Ezeiruaku, and Lawrence would be a scary foursome.
The Dallas Cowboys should looking for any avenue it takes to add more pass rush juice, and for a guy like Alex Highsmith, they would be committing highway robbery in this proposed trade.
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