After a hot 3-0 start to their season had the NFL clamoring about the Dallas Cowboys and their improving young defense, we’ve seen that unit falter over the past month. Dallas has dropped three of their last four and their defense has started to slow down after feasting on inferior opponents earlier in the season.
However, the Cowboys swung a trade that should add another much-needed presence on that defensive line. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dallas is acquiring defensive end Michael Bennett from the New England Patriots in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2021. The pick can become a sixth-rounder.
New England is trading DE Michael Bennett to the Dallas Cowboys for 7th-round pick that can go to a 6th-round pick in 2021, league sources tell @Schultz_Report and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 24, 2019
Though this is a savvy move for the Cowboys to pull off, it doesn’t seem to address their most glaring need and Michael Bennett doesn’t exactly fit in with the rest of Dallas’ young core. The Cowboys’ defensive stars such as Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, DeMarcus Lawrence and Leighton Vander Esch are all under 27 years old while Bennett will be turning 34 in two weeks.
Still, it’s hard to argue against the deal considering the relatively cheap price they paid for Bennett. New England’s defense has been historic thus far this season, largely without much production from the former Seattle Seahawk. The veteran pass rusher has played only a fraction of the snaps for New England and has five total tackles in six games.
While Dallas now features a staunch defensive line with Lawrence, Robert Quinn and now Michael Bennett, their defense still features plenty of holes across the board. With a bye upcoming, expect Bennett to make his Dallas debut in Week 9 when they take on the Giants.
