The Dallas Cowboys trading for Michael Bennett is the perfect, low-risk move the team needed to answer quiet questions on the defensive end.
After the Dallas Cowboys‘ huge win in primetime over the rival Philadelphia Eagles, the optimism has returned for America’s Team. Sitting at 4-3 and atop the NFC East, they again feel like a destined playoff team with aspirations for a potential postseason run. However, we should not forget the three losses that curbed any positive feelings prior to Week 7.
The Cowboys clearly have not forgotten that, though, and they’re being proactive in trying to remedy any woes. On Thursday night, Dallas made a trade with the Patriots for defensive lineman Michael Bennett, sending New England a seventh-round pick in return (though it can turn into a sixth-round), per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Even in a vacuum, trading for Bennett at that price is a smart move for the Cowboys. Though he’s been used as part of a platoon in New England, he has notched three sacks already on the year. Furthermore, he’s a veteran pass-rusher that gives the Dallas defensive line a little more pop.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
More than that, however, the Bennett trade addresses a sneaky question about the Cowboys defense. As good as DeMarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn have been, the defensive line in Dallas is not deep. That’s especially true with Tyrone Crawford hitting IR earlier in the year due to hip surgery, which is a role that Bennett can fill with his inside-out versatility.
When the Cowboys went on their three-game skid, much was said about the offense taking a step back. While that was true, let’s not forget that Dallas’ defense also allowed Green Bay to put up 34 points and let Sam Darnold and the Jets throw all over them. Even in the win over the Eagles, when Quinn went out with a rib injury, the pass rush took a step back due to the lack of depth.
Obviously that didn’t affect Jason Garrett‘s team in the victory over Philadelphia but it rightfully raised some eyebrows in house. Injuries, guys getting banged up and natural rotation up front on defense are all certainties in the NFL. Thus, teams have to prepare for that, especially eyeing the home stretch of the regular season and then the playoffs.
Subsequently, adding Bennett right now is the perfect low-risk move for the Cowboys. He can come in and play that Crawford role, perhaps even more effectively given his pass-rushing prowess. On top of that, the Cowboys make this move at the bye week ahead of their stretch run, giving the veteran time to get acclimated and then hit the ground running.
Dallas looked pretty close to the best version of themselves in Week 7. Trading for Bennett is a move that helps ensure they don’t wildly swing the other way again this season, even if they aren’t perfect. This is the type of high-reward move at a low cost that we could look back on as a subtle game-changer for the Cowboys and their push for the playoffs.