The NFL trade deadline is one of the most intriguing times of the year across all of sports. All thirty-two teams across the league gauge where there team is at at the midway point of the season, determining whether to be buyers, sellers, or a little bit of both. For the New York Jets, they have seemingly committed to the rebuild. Earlier today, the Jets dealt former All-Pro Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks and young wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Now, they have dealt another former first-team All-Pro on defense: superstar defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The haul from the Dallas Cowboys includes a 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 first-rounder, and former first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Quinnen is coming to Dallas
We have acquired DT Quinnen Williams from the Jets in exchange for a 2026 second round pick, a 2027 first round pick, and DT Mazi Smith.
: https://t.co/KDthNEa4GA | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/jlANuPO92Z
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 4, 2025
Williams was drafted in 2019 with the third overall selection. Since then, he’s been a defensive anchor for the Jets. He has racked up 287 pressures and 45 sacks according to PFF. He has also been a consistently good run defender, having posted a 70 or better PFF run defense grade in 5 of his 6.5 seasons as a Jet. Best of all, his availability has been stellar. Quinnen has only missed 10 games in his successful career. However, he wasn’t fond of the direction of the team at this point. In fact he had requested to be traded *three times* before finally getting his wish according to Connor Hughes.
Quinnen Williams requested a trade from the Jets on three separate occasions prior to him being dealt today to the Cowboys, @Connor_J_Hughes reports:
“Quinnen Williams’ relationship with the Jets has been deteriorating, and this goes all the way back to when they made the… pic.twitter.com/a7dqsBNqKt
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 4, 2025
The Jets Now Dominate the 2027 NFL Draft
The Jets are now full-steam ahead into the rebuild under Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey. They now own five first-round picks in the next two drafts, including three in the 2027 NFL Draft after this Quinnen Williams deal. An important clarification was made on the first-round pick the Jets received from the Cowboys today, which is that it will be whichever one of their two firsts is higher. Remember, they have an extra pick in the first round in 2027 because of the Micah Parsons trade. This could be relevant depending on how the Cowboys play next season. Having all that capital in 2027 should be worthwhile. The potential talent in that draft has been hyped up now for years. If they have a quarterback already, they could look to add some huge playmakers on either side of the ball. The biggest name is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Some non-QB names that are eligible for the 2027 draft:
• Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
• Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
• Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
• Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn
• Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
• Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
• Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado https://t.co/UugdvSB57f— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 4, 2025
As for the quarterbacks? Depending on who stays in school and who goes into the draft in 2026, there could be some huge names available in that area as well. This includes Texas’ Arch Manning, Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, and Florida’s D.J. Lagway. Even guys such as Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers have another year of eligibility remaining as well. The Jets will undoubtedly be able to select who they believe could be their franchise quarterback within the next two years.
Filling the Void in the Middle
As for now, the Jets have a Quinnen Williams-sized hole at defensive tackle. Fortunately for them, Darren Mougey prepared for this. During the preseason, the Jets made a small move for then-Browns defensive tackle Jowon Briggs. He was a seventh-round pick out of Cincinnati. He’s been solid for the Jets so far, as he’s currently posting a 73.7 PFF defensive grade. He should be in for even more action now with Williams gone, and could be a solid piece for the future. The Jets also received former first-round pick Mazi Smith in this deal. He has been nothing short of underwhelming for Dallas as he has not posted a PFF defensive grade over 50 in any of his 2.5 seasons there. However, it could be a case of him just not being a fit. Perhaps the change of scenery will light a fire under Smith.
Quinnen Williams will be dearly missed by Jets fans, but this move made sense for both sides. Williams gets to go and attempt to win with Dallas, and the Jets continue to load up for their rebuild.
Main Photo: [Robert Deutsch] – Imagn Images
The post Report: Jets Deal Quinnen Williams to Dallas for a Huge Haul appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.