Cowboys trade for Jets All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams

by · UPI

Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Dallas Cowboys agreed to trade two draft picks and defensive lineman Mazi Smith to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, league sources told UPI on Tuesday.

The Cowboys agreed to send a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, in addition to Smith, to the Jets in the Williams deal.

The move came the same day that the Jets also agreed to trade All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts.

Williams, 27, joined the Jets as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2022 first-team All-Pro logged 32 combined tackles, seven tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and a sack through eight starts this season.

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Williams totaled 322 combined tackles, 59 tackles for a loss, 40 sacks, 14 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception over 98 appearances through his first seven seasons in the NFL.

The Jets signed Williams to a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023. He is under contract through 2027.

Smith, 24, was the No. 26 overall pick by the Cowboys in the 2023 NFL Draft. He totaled 57 combined tackles, seven tackles for a loss and two sacks through his first 39 appearances in the NFL. He is on the third year of his four-year rookie contract.

In totality, the Jets netted first- and second-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and two first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, in addition to Smith and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, through the Williams and Gardner deals.

The Cowboys also agreed to a deadline deal earlier Tuesday when they sent a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for linebacker Logan Wilson.

The Cowboys (3-5-1), who have the second-worst defense in the NFL, are on bye in Week 10. They will play the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) in Week 11. The Jets (1-7) will host the Cleveland Browns (2-6) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

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