Dallas has allowed 397.4 yards and 30.8 points per game, both of which rank 31st in the league through Week 9. It’s negated the Cowboys’ offensive success this season, as Dak Prescott and Co. have produced 378.4 YPG and 29.2 PPG, which rank third and fourth in the NFL, respectively.
Only the 1950 New York Yanks have averaged 30-plus PPG while allowing 30-plus PPG in NFL history, per NFL Research.
The Cowboys are doing their due diligence to ensure that infamous history isn’t made by bringing in Williams, a hulking run stuffer who also has great ability to disrupt a passing pocket. He joins Kenny Clark, another former first-round pick who arrived in the Parsons trade, on a Cowboys’ interior defensive line that can’t be matched on paper.
Smith, 24, has struggled to make an impact in Dallas after being selected with the No. 26 overall pick of the 2023 draft and has rarely been on the field in his third season. He gets a fresh start in New York, where there will be opportunity for him to play in Williams’ absence.
The Jets (1-7) trading Williams and Gardner now brings their first-round pick total to five over the next two years, plus the extra 2026 second-rounder from Dallas.
Following a disappointing loss to the Cardinals on Monday night, the Cowboys will use their bye in Week 10 to acclimate Williams to the defense as Dallas (3-5-1) aims to save its season.