The Dallas Cowboys are riding high after a Week 5 win over the New York Jets, but the team’s defense continues to be a work in progress. There is still time for Dallas to make moves ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
With the Cowboys offense humming, the front office would be wise to explore potential moves to bolster the defense. The Cowboys have a top-five offense with the unit averaging 30.2 points per game. On the flip side, Dallas is allowing 30.8 points, the fourth-worst defense in the NFL.
The Cowboys are still searching for answers to generate a substantial pass rush in Micah Parsons’ absence. Dallas’ pass rushers showed signs of life versus the Jets, but things will get more challenging against more imposing opponents in the coming weeks.
All this has a potential Cowboys trade with the Miami Dolphins making some sense.
Cowboys Rumors: Dolphins Pass Rusher Jaelan Phillips Eyed as Potential Trade Target
Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips could be a perfect fit in Big D. While not a massive name, Phillips has started 34 games during his NFL career with Miami, including all five contests this season.
The Dolphins may be willing to move the defender given Phillips completed his four-year, $14 million rookie contract and is playing on a club option for $13.2 million in 2025. Phillips will be a free agent this upcoming offseason, unless the Dolphins utilize the franchise tag on the pass rusher.
Dolphins May Be Willing to Trade Jaelan Phillips to Cowboys Given Looming NFL Free Agency
What would it cost the Cowboys to trade for Phillips? Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox floated the Cowboys as a potential landing spot for Phillips and projects the defender’s trade value as a conditional 2026 fourth rounder. Dallas landing a potential starter for a Day 3 pick would not be a bad deal.
“Teams in need of pass-rushing help might be able to pry Jaelan Phillips away from the Miami Dolphins for a reasonable price,” Knox wrote on October 7. “They fell to 1-4 on Sunday and appear close to all but quitting on the season.
“… Phillips, meanwhile, is playing on the fifth-year option and will likely depart in 2026 free agency if he isn’t dealt. He’s been a solid edge-defender when healthy, but Miami has a deep rotation that also includes Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb, Matthew Judon and Chop Robinson,” Knox added.
“Injuries have impacted Phillips over the past few years, but he’s still only 26 years old and should interest teams looking to invest in a younger defender.”
Heading Into the 2021 NFL Draft, Dolphins Pass Rusher Jaelan Phillips Drew Comparisons to Raiders Star Maxx Crosby
Phillips is a former highly touted prospect who the Dolphins selected with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, it is easy to see why Phillips had appeal to NFL teams.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Phillips to Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby ahead of the draft, praising the pass rusher’s quickness.
“Edge defender with plus physical attributes and a motor that keeps him working and attacking throughout the rep,” Zierlein detailed in his pre-draft profile. “Philips might have the combination of length and athleticism that would allow teams to look at him with a hand on the ground or standing depending on his weight.
“… He’s a slippery-limbed pass rusher with good first-step quickness, which bodes well for his future rush success if he gets better with his hands and learns a go-to counter. He has a shot at becoming a solid future starter along the edge if his medicals pan out.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Proposed NFL Trade Has Cowboys Land Quick 6-Foot-5 $13 Million Starter to Fill Void appeared first on Heavy Sports.