The Dallas Cowboys made a big move on Tuesday by acquiring Quinnen Williams from the Jets, but one ESPN analyst immediately exposed the trade’s fatal flaw. They still can’t cover anybody despite landing the former All-Pro defensive tackle.
Louis Riddick criticized Dallas on social media moments after the blockbuster deal. “Still can’t cover anybody tho,” Riddick posted on X. His four-word assessment cut straight to the heart of Dallas’s defensive problems.
Still can’t cover anybody tho…🤷🏾♂️
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) November 4, 2025
The stats fully support Riddick’s criticism. Dallas gives up 254.4 passing yards per game, 30th in the league. Opponents have thrown 22 touchdown passes against the Cowboys secondary, tied for 31st worst. Quarterbacks carry a 112.3 passer rating when facing Dallas, also 31st in the NFL.
Adam Schefter reported that Dallas gave up significant assets for Williams. The Cowboys sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round selection and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to New York. That’s a massive price for a player who doesn’t address their biggest weakness.
Full trade:
🏈Cowboys receive DT Quinnen Williams.
🏈Jets receive 2026 second-round pick and 2027 first-round pick and DT Mazi Smith. https://t.co/rea59x9G9h
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2025
Williams is expected to boost Dallas’ run defense right away. Pro Football Focus gives him a 90.8 grade for run-stopping this season. He has 25 solo tackles, second most in the league, and 25 stops, meaning tackles made at key defensive success points.
His pass-rush numbers show versatility too. Williams has one sack, two forced fumbles, two quarterback hits, 16 hurries and 19 total pressures. Those stats prove he’s an elite interior defender who impacts multiple phases.
The Cowboys desperately need help with their run defense. They allow 143 rushing yards per game, ranking 29th in the league. Their total defense allows 397.4 yards per game, ranking them 31st overall. Williams addresses one glaring problem while ignoring the bigger one.
Dallas Cowboys Enter Bye Week With Playoff Hopes Fading Amid Defensive Struggles
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Teams will continue to attack Dallas through the air, regardless of Williams’s presence. The secondary can’t match up with quality receivers. No amount of interior defensive line help fixes cornerback and safety deficiencies.
The Jets also traded cornerback Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis earlier Tuesday. Dallas could have pursued Gardner instead, addressing their actual weakness. Indianapolis gave up two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for the All-Pro corner.
Gardner would have transformed Dallas’s pass defense overnight. Williams improves one area while leaving the biggest hole untouched. That’s why Riddick’s criticism resonates so strongly with analysts and fans.
Dallas bet on stopping the run when teams continued to beat them through the air. The strategy seems backward for a team desperately chasing playoff contention. Williams helps, but he doesn’t solve what’s actually broken in Dallas.
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