Cowboys news: Re-evaluating the Micah Parsons trade

Dallas Turned the Return into a Defensive Reset

The deal looks so much better now. Dallas used the return on the Micah Parsons trade to build something bigger than just one player, but it took more than a single season. We covered Kenny Clark, but along with him, the Cowboys used a 2027 first-round pick to trade for All-Pro defensive tackle Quinned Williams. Green Bay still got a monster, but the Cowboys not only got Clark and Williams, they helped rebuild a defense with rookies in the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the draft capital received in the trade, the Dallas Cowboys were able to add Caleb Downs with their own pick. Then they flipped the Green Bay pick into a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that moved the Cowboys down three picks in the first-round. Included in the trade were two fourth-round picks. The pick at now 23 turned into Malachi Lawrence, while the two fourths turned into Devin Moore and LT Overton. Green Bay may have got the better player, but Dallas turned Micah Parson into Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, Malachi Lawrence, Devin Moore, and LT Overton. Several players to fill several positions, over one player who would have killed the cap and made it nearly impossible for those players to be Dallas Cowboys.

Local Cowboys UDFA has shot to shock, win roster spot with elite trait – Kenneth Ball, Cowboys Wire

Can this talented longshot make the team?

As OTAs approach, the rookie minicamp that concluded last week has ushered in a wave of fresh young talent eager to earn a place on the Dallas Cowboys. Among these promising athletes is a local star from DFW who also played college football in Dallas. This standout player is Jordan Hudson, a Garland native who attended SMU and made a name for himself as a boundary X receiver for the Mustangs.

The receiving corps is packed with talent, featuring CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, late-round 2024 discovery Ryan Flournoy, and more. The competition this year is set to be intense; if Hudson aims to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, he must truly excel.

Strengths

Hudson’s film against Miami immediately shows his consistent ability to pluck the ball out of the air in heavy traffic. He possesses elite body control, showing a natural knack for contorting his frame mid-flight to secure the tough catch. This ultra-competitiveness is woven into his playstyle; he clearly wants the ball in his hands on every snap and plays with a visible edge that dictates the tempo of the matchup.

Beyond the initial catch, his YAC ability on screens and hitches shows real promise that he could become a reliable, high-volume chain-mover. He’s a fighter who keeps his legs churning for extra yardage, using quick shiftiness to make defenders miss in space. Perhaps most impressively for a receiver under 200 pounds, he’s a gritty, willing blocker who doesn’t shy away from contact. Ultimately, he checks every box for a prototypical boundary X receiver, wrapped in a tall, lanky frame that creates constant mismatches.

Weaknesses

While Hudson displays solid speed and suddenness, his ability to create consistent separation remains a work in progress. There are far too many instances on film where defenders are glued to his hip pocket, forcing him to rely on his length to bail out the play. In the NFL, living on a contested-catch island is a dangerous game that often leads to pass deflections or interceptions if the timing isn’t pinpoint.

Jadeveon Clowney buzz gives Cowboys fans hope they thought was gone – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat

Being reunited would feel so good for this defense.

It was hardly a surprise that the Dallas Cowboys struggled to field a consistent pass rush after trading Micah Parsons.When the dust settled, Jadeveon Clowney finished as Dallas’ most productive pass rusher despite not signing until a month into the season. He agreed to terms with the Cowboys immediately after their 40-40 shootout against the Packers in Week 4.

Re-signing Clowney felt like the obvious move, but the front office all but shut the door on a reunion, seemingly viewing him as a poor fit in Christian Parker’s defense. While that stance may not have changed, NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo has given Cowboys fans a reason to believe a reunion isn’t completely dead. “I gather that some of his former teams are interested in him, which is pretty easy when you play for as many teams as he’s played for. Let’s see about Clowney here in the near future.”

The Dallas Cowboys could still sign veteran DE Jadeveon Clowney

As Garafolo intimated, Clowney has been around the block. The former No. 1 overall pick of the Texans back in 2014, Clowney has also suited up for the Seahawks (2019), Titans (2020), Browns (2021-22), Ravens (2023), and Panthers (2024), respectively.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, a second-round pick last year, is expected to start opposite Rashan Gary, but he’s coming off offseason labrum surgery. He’s expected to be healthy for training camp, but recovery timelines have a penchant for changing, and hip surgery is no walk in the park. Gary was a good pickup, but Dallas didn’t trade for him because of his pass-rush win rate. While he’s an excellent run defender, he’s not going to keep quarterbacks awake the night before a game.

Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: S Alijah Clark – Jess Haynie, Blogging the Boys

Speaking of undrafted free agents, Alijah Clark looks to standout in a suddenly crowded safety room.

Football’s a tough business, where a guy can go from having one of the best plays of the year to not even making the team the following season. That’s a fate safety Alijah Clark, the next player in our Dallas Cowboys roster rundown series, hopes to avoid in 2026.

Background

Years in NFL: 1

Acquired by: UDFA (2025)

One of Dallas’ undrafted free agents last year, Clark had a strong camp and made a case for the bottom of the roster with both safety and nickel corner appeal. However, he was ultimately waived at final cuts and added to the practice squad. About a month later, Clark was signed to the roster and played in 11 games, even starting one during an injury-riddled Week 8 in Denver. Outside of the Broncos game, nearly all of Clark’s playing time came on special teams.

It was in punt coverage that Clark made one of the Cowboys’ best plays of 2025, and in a huge comeback win over the Eagles. From the gunner position, Clark got bullied down the field by the Philadelphia blocker. But despite stumbling and even hitting the ground, Clark kept fighting his way back up and towards the ball. He finally got there and delivered a hard hit to Eagles’ WR Xavier Gipson, knocking the ball loose for a Cowboys fumble recovery. Clark earned national praise for his relentless hustle on the play.

Contract Status

Years Left: 1

2026 Cap Hit: $1 million

Clark returns as a roster spot competitor with a year left on his minimal contract. If he sticks this season, he will be an exclusive rights free agent in 2027, having just two accrued seasons. That would give Dallas contractual control over Clark for at least one more year, which could help him stick on the roster now. ***Daily Discussion Question:* Does Caleb Downs getting to wear number two matter at all to you?**