The best names in the NFL trade deadline are going to be hard to come by, but as long as the Dallas Cowboys can get a difference-maker, things might work out in the end.
Names floating around the Cowboys' rumor mill are Bengals All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and Raiders' All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby. But according to Fox NFL insider Jordan Schultz, it's going to be tougher than Cowboys fans had thought to reel in big fish like that.
Schultz was on 105.3 The Fan to talk about guys more likely to land with the Cowboys. When asked about potential linebackers that could be available, Schultz quickly named one of the most underrated defenders in the game: Jets LB Quincy Williams.
Jets' Quincy Williams could be a Cowboys target before the NFL trade deadline
"I think the name that is probably the most appetizing is Quincy Williams from the Jets. He is a very, very good player. The Jets have some young playmakers on defense. I had mentioned last week, there was about five or six that could be moved. "Jordan Schultz
Schultz added that Williams is intriguing because he can play in multiple different schemes. This could be a diverse player that Matt Eberflus can mess around with, and it's easy to see why.
In 2023, Williams had a breakout season with an 88.7 PFF coverage grade and an overall grade of 81.1. His efforts earned him first-team All-Pro honors, and he's been quietly dominating in his position for the last two seasons.
Williams is someone who can wrap up runners and break up passes in coverage. He's also not afraid to go after the football and cause a fumble. Just that alone can get some real momentum rolling for Eberlus' group.
It may not be what Cowboys fans want to hear, but it's going to be tough for anybody to get Hendrickson, let alone Crosby. They still have a fighting chance with Hendrickson's on-and-off relationship with the Bengals organization, combined with the fact that Cincinnati might need a miracle to get a playoff spot at the end of the season.
Williams isn't a perfect player, but he'd be a clear upgrade over Kenneth Murray, who had another nightmare performance against the Broncos. The Cowboys need more consistency to pair with DeMarvion Overshown once he's back from injury, and Williams checks that box.
The former third-round pick is only making $6 million per year, and his contract has an easy out starting in 2026.