Dallas Cowboys urged to trade edge rusher before start of 2026 NFL season

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We're deep into the NFL offseason at this point. The draft and free agency are already in the rearview mirror and OTAs are underway across the league's landscape. But, that doesn't mean that moves can't still be made. Trades can be executed all the way up to the start of the season, and beyond, and the Cowboys have been urged to trade away an edge rusher before the onset of the '26 season. In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Moe Moton urged the Cowboys to trade trade linebacker James Houston for future draft capital, as opposed to letting him get buried on the Dallas' depth chart in 2026. "This offseason, Dallas acquired Rashan Gary from the Packers and drafted Malachi Lawrence in the first round. With those two joining Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams, who signed a new one-year deal, the Cowboys could look to swap out a veteran edge-rusher for draft capital," Moton wrote. "As a designated pass-rusher, James Houston recorded 5.5 sacks and 19 pressures while on the field for 28 percent of the defensive snaps last season. The Cowboys' roster additions could bury Houston on the depth chart. Rather than play the fifth-year pro sparingly, Dallas can trade him to an edge-rusher-needy team for an early Day 3 pick." Houston was used sparingly by Dallas last season, as he only played 28 percent of all defensive snaps and 37 percent of special teams snaps. So in theory, the Cowboys could try to trade him without worrying about losing too much in terms of on-field production. It would make sense to try to get some value in return for Houston instead of potentially losing him for nothing in free agency next offseason. At the same time though, edge rusher is an important position to have depth at, and the Cowboys might just want to hang onto Houston as insurance. More NFL news: Myles Garrett sends message to Cleveland Browns fans after trade to RamsA.J. Brown sends goodbye message to Eagles fans after trade to Patriots