The Dallas Cowboys are surrendering nearly 31 points per game to opposing offenses through six games this season, though the Carolina Panthers didn’t even need that many to earn a victory over Dallas on Sunday.
The Cowboys (2-3-1) lost to the Panthers 30-27 in Carolina in Week 6, which led to an outcry for the removal of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus following the game. And while that particular subtraction from the organization may not be on the immediate horizon, it would make sense for the team to at least consider some personnel additions ahead of the NFL‘s trade deadline on Nov. 4.
One particular area of need is the pass-rush, as the Cowboys have notched just 11 sacks thus far in 2025 after trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. An option for Dallas to explore exists within the NFC East division, as former first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux has been among the top theoretical trade candidates across the league since the season began.
Pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report estimated Thibodeaux’s trade value as a conditional second-round rounder before naming him the No. 5 player on the website’s trade block big board last week.
“The 24-year-old was the fifth overall pick in the 2022 draft, but New York has since added Brian Burns and rookie Abdul Carter, who are now its top two sack artists,” Knox wrote.
He suggested the Giants look to the San Francisco 49ers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a trade partner, and that might be simpler than trying to do a deal with a division rival.
That said, New York has a surplus of pass-rushers and deficiencies across several other areas of the roster. Meanwhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones picked up two first-round selections in the Parsons trade, so parting with a second-round pick to add a meaningful player to a struggling defense isn’t a wild proposition.
Thibodeaux is in the fourth year of his rookie deal, worth a total of $31 million. The Giants have already exercised the fifth-year team option on that contract, which means he is locked in through 2026. Thibodeaux, 24 years old, has tallied 54 QB hits, 31 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown across 49 games played in his career.
