Cowboys Target Edge Rushers Ahead Of Deadline

With Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL trade deadline fewer than 24 hours away, the Dallas Cowboys are urgently seeking pass-rush help to shore up a defense entering Week 9 that ranks 31st vs. the pass, 29th vs. the run and 31st in points allowed. Reports say Dallas is “in the market for a pass rusher,” with names floated including Arden Key, Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Malcolm Koonce, and higher-profile options such as Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby. Analysts continue to link the Cowboys to the New York Jets’ Jermaine Johnson despite a high asking price and suggest the team could pursue an immediate-impact edge rusher in roughly the $13 million annual range. Other deadline possibilities include a reunion with running back Tony Pollard to add depth behind Javonte Williams, and sources say former first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith could be made available to teams like the Chiefs or Bills. Jaelan Phillips is being viewed as an attainable mid-cost option, potentially for a fourth-round pick.