The Dallas Cowboys went into Week 11 needing to show something new. Through the first nine games of the season things simply weren’t good enough. The Dallas defense was bottom two in the NFL and showing zero signs of the life. The Cowboys offense was fairly strong, but not strong enough to carry the team to a winning record.
Facing the reality of the situation, Jerry Jones and his front office went to work. Just before the 2025 NFL trade deadline they added star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and veteran linebacker Logan Wilson. The two deadline additions joined fellow trade acquisitions George Pickens and Kenny Clark and sent the Cowboys locked and loaded down the stretch.
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Luckily for the Cowboys all four of their high-profile additions made some noise in Week 11. From the two who had been with the team all season to the two who just made their debuts, the trade acquisitions shinned. Anything the Cowboys may lack in draft scouting and/or free agent procurement, they have made up for though the trade market.
DT Quinnen Williams
Williams, 27, was the costliest of all the trade acquisitions. Added for the cost of a first-round pick, second-round pick, and Mazi Smith, the Cowboys put most of their eggs in Williams’ basket. The hope was a dominant player like Williams would create plays on his own and enable others to make plays themselves.
Based on Week 11’s results, it looks like he did both. Williams posted a stat line of four tackles, one solo, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss and five quarterback hits, all while unlocking fellow defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa along the way. All three DTs combined for three sacks, three tackles for loss and nine QB hits.
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WR George Pickens
Pickens, 24, was no slouch either. The fourth-year receiver continued his career season with the Cowboys by posting 144 yards on nine receptions with a 16.0 average and one touchdown. He was Dak Prescott’s top target making the amazing look routine and seemingly dead plays look like anything was possible.
Pickens is making the case to be the NFL’s highest paid WR2 over the offseason. If the Cowboys decide they can’t do without their new playmaker this coming offseason, that’s exactly what Pickens will become.
DT Kenny Clark
Clark, 30, was playing for his role in 2025 and playing for his job in seasons beyond. Added from Green Bay in the Micah Parsons trade, Clark was supposed to be the presence in the middle the Cowboys have been lacking. For a few games he was, but his consistency was lacking and his recent play was moving in the wrong direction. Some speculated he’d be the first DT cut after the year, but his performce on Monday night made the case he should stay.
Clark posted a half sack and three QB hits as he made himself a force inside against the Raiders. Clark played like the man Dallas needs him to be in order to turn this defense around.
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LB Logan Wilson
Wilson, 29, had the most modest expectations of the bunch. The veteran linebacker from Cincinnati has seen a physical decline to his game, and while still fully capable, he’s not quite the playmaker he used to be earlier in his career.
Regardless, Wilson was an upgrade for the unit who pushes everyone to be better. He posted two tackles in the LB rotation, showing he can adapt on the fly and can be used a variety of ways. He’s not an ideal starter but given the state of the Cowboys LB room, that’s good enough.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys 4 trade acquisitions shine brightly in Wk 11 win over Raiders
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