Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode: Top TRADE Targets For Cowboys REVEALED | Which DL Should Dallas Go After?
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into potential trade targets for the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL trade deadline looms. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool focus on defensive positions (defensive tackle, end, cornerback, safety) as areas of need, evaluating players who could provide an immediate upgrade or serve as building blocks for the future. The conversation includes analysis of contracts, team needs, and realistic trade scenarios, providing Cowboys fans with both insider perspective and practical considerations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Types of Trades: Rentals vs. Long-Term Solutions

• Definition: Exploring trades for players on expiring contracts (rentals to help now) versus acquiring long-term pieces who could be re-signed or extended.
  • “The interesting kind of rentals are these guys that are on the last years of the rookie deals. Those are the guys you feel like could be either way…” — Landon, [02:44]
• Contracts & Value: Emphasized that a player’s current contract heavily determines trade value and must be weighed as much as on-field performance.

2. Defensive Tackle Trade Targets

• Quinnen Williams (New York Jets)
  • Value: Near-elite three-technique DT, Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) #1 graded run defender.
  • Contract/Cost: Signed through 2027, limited guaranteed money left. Rumored cost is a second-round pick.
  • “If Quinnen Williams is available, that’s one of the first guys you have to check in on.” — Marcus, [05:09]
  • “If that’s the cost, man I think it’s worth it for the Cowboys… Even a first-round pick, I would give it.” — Marcus, [06:27]
• T’Vondre Sweat (Tennessee Titans)
  • Profile: Young, massive (360 lbs), run-stuffer; cheap rookie contract, but some off-field/attitude questions.
  • “Anyone who watched him at Texas knows he was a game wrecker for them.” — Landon, [08:00]
• Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans)
  • Profile: Best pass-rushing DT per PFF, highly productive, would be expensive to acquire.
  • “What do you value more, run defense (Williams) or pass rush (Simmons)?” — Marcus, [09:56]
  • Cost: Likely a first-round pick—elite, under 30, and under contract.

3. Defensive End Trade Targets

• Current State: Cowboys have overabundance of lightweight, speed-pass rushers; lack bigger, strong-side DE types.
  • “You kind of have a plethora of one body type though... They’re all 240 pound pass rushers.” — Landon, [13:40]
  • Need for a “power defensive end.”
• Jalen Phillips (Miami Dolphins)
  • Profile: 255 lbs, athletic, versatile, history of injuries but high upside. Rental potential on last rookie year.
  • “He’s still young enough…maybe you can get him on a relatively cheap deal due to uneven injury years.” — Landon, [14:38]
• Nick Herbig (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • Profile: Undersized but hyper-productive (leads NFL in pass-rush win rate); could be acquired for 2nd/3rd rounder.
  • “He is phenomenal coming off the edge… Pittsburgh’s best pass rusher by a mile.” — Marcus, [17:04]
• Tyree Wilson (Las Vegas Raiders)
  • Profile: 6'6", 275lbs, former first-round pick; underused/misused in Vegas—big-frame DE the Cowboys lack.
  • “This is just a body type they don’t have right now.” — Marcus, [19:19]
• Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals)
  • Discussion: Sought-after, but Bengals unlikely to trade due to playoff position. Would require extension if acquired.
• Dante Fowler/J. Houston (Internal Options)
  • Cowboys could consider trading away excess lighter pass rushers to balance roster.

4. Defensive Backs — Safety & Corner Targets

• Minkah Fitzpatrick (Miami Dolphins)
  • Profile: Star playmaking safety, would instantly become a defensive leader.
  • Value: Age (29) and contract ($16-17M/yr) drop trade cost—Marcus suggests day-three pick rather than rumored 2nd.
  • “29-year-old safeties who are making $16, 17 million a year are not going to go for a second-round pick.” — Marcus, [26:16]
• Tariq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks)
  • Profile: Freakishly long, tall corner; possibly available due to system fit and regime change. Rental, expiring deal.
  • “He’s the biggest of all the big cornerbacks… a good fit if the Cowboys are looking for a corner.” — Landon, [27:39]
  • Could likely be had for a day-three pick; Cowboys value arm-length at CB above all.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trade Strategy:
  • “People always...they forget to look at the contracts...the contract that they’re currently on—that really determines value.” — Landon, [02:44]
• On Quinnen Williams:
  • “If that’s the cost, man, I think it's worth it for the Cowboys...He is a building block of your defense.” — Marcus, [06:27]
  • “That’s why I would run up, pay a second round pick. I do think a first round pick is more appropriate.” — Landon, [07:05]
• On Defensive Ends:
  • “You kind of need to go out and get a guy that’s a little bit more of a power defensive end.” — Landon, [13:40]
  • “He’s Pittsburgh’s best pass rusher by a mile right now.” — Marcus on Herbig, [17:04]
• On Minkah Fitzpatrick:
  • “He is a guy that could be a centerpiece in your defensive backfield.” — Landon, [25:48]
  • “He got traded for a first-round pick back in 2019. I gotta believe his value’s decreased a lot more since then, now that he’s a lot older and a lot more expensive.” — Marcus, [26:47]
• On Tariq Woolen:
  • “Will McClay must have been at this guy’s birthday parties...just following him around…” — Landon, [26:58]
  • “Go to mock draftable, sort by arm length, and just go through the list to see the guys who are still in the league. The first name that comes up is Tariq Woolen.” — Marcus, [27:26]

Important Timestamps

• Trade Types and Philosophy: [01:38]–[03:56]
• Defensive Tackle Segment:
  • Quinnen Williams: [05:09]
  • T’Vondre Sweat: [07:17]
  • Jeffery Simmons: [09:39]
• Defensive End Segment:
  • Needs Analysis: [13:40]
  • Jalen Phillips: [14:38], [21:00]
  • Tradeaway options (Fowler): [16:01]
  • Nick Herbig: [17:04]
  • Tyree Wilson: [18:52]
  • Trey Hendrickson: [19:56]
• Defensive Backs Segment:
  • Minkah Fitzpatrick: [24:42]–[26:58]
  • Tariq Woolen: [26:58]–[28:14]

Recap Summary

Throughout the episode, Marcus and Landon balance optimism with realism—casting a wide net on trade candidates but cross-checking each with the Cowboys’ existing depth, cap space, and scheme fit. They caution fans about overvaluing splash trades and reiterate the importance of contract length, price, and how a new player integrates into the current defensive framework. Long-term building blocks are prized over mere rentals unless the price is too appealing, and the Cowboys’ persistent needs at defensive tackle and “big-bodied” defensive end continue to drive the wish list.

This episode is an in-depth look at how roster construction, salary management, and playoff ambitions intersect as the Cowboys look to make a splash—or at least solidify—their defense at the deadline.

For Cowboys fans or NFL roster geeks, this episode is both strategic and practical, mixing fan enthusiasm with front office reality.