The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 season with high expectations, having made minimal offseason moves. While they re-signed running back Ezekiel Elliott, the core of the team remains largely unchanged from last year.
However, today they made a strategic move to bolster their defensive line depth. In a rare interdivisional trade, the Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Jordan Phillips from the New York Giants.
NFL insider Jordan Schulz first reported the trade. Typically, divisional rivals avoid trading with each other due to the frequency of their matchups, but the Giants sent the 31-year-old Phillips to Dallas anyway. The trade also involves day three draft picks, with the Giants receiving a 2026 sixth-round pick and the Cowboys getting a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Jordan Phillips has struggled to produce in recent years, recording just four sacks and 35 tackles over the past two seasons. His best year was in 2019 with the Buffalo Bills, when he notched 9.5 sacks. Despite recent struggles, Phillips is expected to be a valuable depth piece for the Cowboys.
Phillips’ addition is crucial for Mike Zimmer’s defense, which lost several depth players in free agency and saw defensive end Sam Williams tear his ACL during training camp. A strong pass rush relies on keeping players fresh, and Phillips will provide the needed rotation on the defensive line. Although he may not fill the stat sheet, his veteran presence will be beneficial.
Phillips also brings experience to a position where the Cowboys could use a steady hand. Former first-round pick Mazi Smith had a challenging rookie season, and Phillips could serve as a mentor, helping to ease some of the pressure on the young player.
The surprising aspect of this trade is that the Giants are aiding a division rival. However, this low-risk move is unlikely to backfire significantly. Interdivisional trades, while uncommon, are not unprecedented—like the deals between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, including the trade for TJ Hockenson. This is a solid move for the Cowboys, and it will be interesting to see how Phillips fits into their plans for 2024.
