Faced with the reality of the situation, Jerry Jones and his board got to work. Just before the 2025 NFL trade deadline, they added star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and veteran linebacker Logan Wilson. The two deadline additions joined trade acquisitions George Pickens and Kenny Clark and sent the Cowboys locked and loaded down the stretch.
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Fortunately for the Cowboys, their four high-profile additions made some noise in Week 11. From the two who had been with the team all season to the two who just debuted, the trade acquisitions shined. Whatever the Cowboys may lack in draft scouting and/or free agent acquisition, they have made up for through the trade market.
DT Quinnen Williams
Williams, 27, was the most expensive of all the business acquisitions. Added to the cost of a first-round pick, a second-round pick and Mazi Smith, the Cowboys put most of their eggs in Williams’ basket. The hope was that a dominant player like Williams would create plays on his own and allow others to make them themselves.
Based on Week 11 results, it appears he did both. Williams posted a stat line of four tackles, one solo, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss and five quarterback hits, all while unblocking fellow defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa along the way. The three DTs combined for three sacks, three tackles for loss and nine QB hits.
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WR George Pickens
Pickens, 24, was no slouch either. The fourth-year receiver continued his career season with the Cowboys by recording 144 yards on nine receptions with a 16.0 average and one touchdown. It was Dak Prescott’s main goal, making the unbelievable appearance of routine and seemingly dead plays seem like anything was possible.
Pickens is making a case for being the highest-paid WR2 in the NFL this offseason. If the Cowboys decide they can’t do without their new playmaker next offseason, that’s exactly what Pickens will become.
DT Kenny Clark
Clark, 30, was playing for his role in 2025 and playing for his position in later seasons. Added from Green Bay in the Micah Parsons trade, Clark was supposed to be the presence in the middle that the Cowboys have been missing. He was for a few games, but he lacked consistency and his recent play was moving in the wrong direction. Some speculated that he would be the first coach cut after the year, but his performance on Monday night showed that he should stay.
Clark recorded a half-sack and three QB hits while becoming an inside force against the Raiders. Clark played like the man Dallas needs him to be to turn this defense around.
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LB Logan Wilson
Wilson, 29, had the most modest expectations of the group. Cincinnati’s veteran linebacker has seen a physical decline in his game and, while he is still fully capable, he is no longer the playmaker he used to be early in his career.
Regardless, Wilson was an upgrade to the unit that pushes everyone to be better. Posted two tackles in the LB rotation, showing that he can adapt on the fly and can be used in a variety of ways. He’s not an ideal starter, but given the state of the Cowboys’ LB slot, that’s plenty.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys 4 Trade Acquisitions Shine Bright in Week 11 Win Over Raiders