Cowboys sound out the pass-rush market with eight days left before the trade deadline

The Dallas Cowboys have been calling around the NFL about outside linebackers ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris reported, citing multiple league sources.

The four names in the report are Arizona's Josh Sweat, Pittsburgh's Alex Highsmith, Washington's K'Lavon Chaisson and Tampa Bay's YaYa Diaby. Harris' sources spoke to him before Sunday's 33-30 overtime defeat against the Cardinals at AT&T Stadium, a result that dropped Dallas to 3-5 and raised the question of how much more the club is willing to give up.

Teams have until 3 p.m. Central on Tuesday, Nov. 10, to complete deals. Dallas plays one more game before then, at Indianapolis on Sunday.

Who is on the list

Sweat was on the other sideline Sunday. He sacked Dak Prescott for 7 yards on third down during the Cowboys' lone overtime series, and Arizona turned the punt that followed into the winning field goal drive.

Sweat, 29, posted a career-best 12 sacks last season, his first after signing a four-year, $76.4 million deal with Arizona, but he had two in seven games entering the weekend, according to Dallas Sports Journal's breakdown of the report. Hours before kickoff, ESPN's Adam Schefter had named Dallas among the possible suitors for Sweat.

Highsmith, also 29, is signed through 2027 with a $15.5 million base salary next season and posted 14.5 sacks in 2022. His head coach in Pittsburgh is Mike McCarthy, who ran the Cowboys for five seasons, 2020-24. Chaisson is playing on an $11 million, one-year deal in Washington with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Diaby, 27, is in the last year of his rookie deal, but he hurt his right knee early in Tampa Bay's 16-0 win over Atlanta on Sunday and was due for an MRI on Monday, according to Pewter Report.

A front office that has already spent

Dallas has been an active trader since spring. It landed edge rusher Rashan Gary in a March deal with Green Bay, tackle Broderick Jones from Pittsburgh in August and, on Oct. 1, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Steelers for 2028 second-round and 2027 sixth-round picks.

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who arrived from the Jets at last year's deadline, had seven tackles and two sacks against Arizona, part of a five-sack day for the Dallas defense.

Jerry Jones, the team's owner and general manager, sounded measured about more additions last week. In an Oct. 27 radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, a day after the 38-21 win at Philadelphia, he said an outside move was "unlikely," while adding, "But if it's there, I'll do it."

The other side of the ledger

The loss has also prompted outside speculation that Dallas could move the other direction. CBS Sports' Garrett Podell argued Monday that the Cowboys should at least take calls on receiver George Pickens, who is playing on the franchise tag and was targeted four times Sunday, catching two passes for 48 yards. His 533 receiving yards rank 15th in the league, according to CBS.

Prescott, asked about Pickens' involvement after the game, said he works through his reads and would review the film to see whether he missed him. Porter is also scheduled for free agency after the season, a second contract decision that sits alongside any deadline move.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Sunday the team had to learn to finish games "in all three phases." The next chance comes Sunday at noon Central at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the trade window closing two days later.

Sources

dallassportsjournal.com

CBS Sports

Dallas Cowboys

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