Browns & Cowboys are perfect trade partners amid Cleveland’s edge rusher woes

The Cleveland Browns are facing a significant need on their defensive line, and they believe the Dallas Cowboys could be the ideal trade partner. On Sunday, the Browns placed their starting defensive end, Alex Wright, on season-ending injured reserve due to a ruptured Achilles' tendon. This injury has prompted the Browns to search for additional edge rushers.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Browns were already looking for more help in this area before Wright's injury, indicating that their search for additional talent continues.

The Dallas Cowboys currently have six edge rushers who should be on a 53-man roster. However, it's unlikely that Dallas will carry this many players. The Cowboys' roster includes Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence, Sam Williams, and James Houston. It's clear that Gary, Ezeiruaku, Miller, and Lawrence are locks to make the cut, which could leave only one spot for either Williams or Houston.

Assuming the Cowboys only plan to carry five players, they would likely be open to trading one of Williams or Houston. Both players would provide valuable additions to the Browns' defense without requiring much draft capital. While Dallas linebacker Sam Williams has posted impressive stats in his first two seasons, including 8.5 sacks in 2022 and 4.5 sacks in 2023, he missed all of 2024 due to a torn ACL and returned with limited effectiveness in 2025.

On the other hand, Dallas linebacker James Houston has shown promise with eight sacks in 2022 and 5.5 sacks in 2025. However, Houston's production dropped in his subsequent seasons after injuries, including one sack in 2024 during stints with the Detroit Lions and Browns.

Considering their performance, James Houston seems to have more upside potential than Sam Williams, making him the better trade target. However, both players are relatively comparable in terms of overall value. The Browns would likely only need to give up a late Day 3 pick for either player, or potentially a late-round pick swap, which could be as low as a minor trade value.

In comparison, Dallas has two sixth-round picks for each of the next two drafts and a pair of seventh-rounders in 2027 but none in 2028, making the Browns' offer much more appealing.

In summary, the Browns and Cowboys appear to be perfect trade partners, with the Browns needing additional edge rushers and the Cowboys having available players who can help fill this need without significant draft capital loss for either team.