The Dallas Cowboys have added another standout to their defense for almost nothing, acquiring Michael Bennett from the New England Patriots for the mere price of a late-round pick.
They won their first three games of the 2019 season, lost their next three, and then bounced right back with a massive victory over their stiffest competition in the NFC East. Now, the Dallas Cowboys head into their Week 8 bye with a new toy for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys have acquired Michael Bennett, one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive lineman, from the New England Patriots.
The price? A mere seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which could become a sixth-rounder depending on how successful this trade is for Dallas.
Last season, the Cowboys sent a first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper, who was critical in the team’s 2018 playoff push and has been just as vital in 2019. Bennett may not have as profound of an impact as Cooper, but he’s a much bigger steal when looking at the draft capital heading the other way.
Bennett joins a defensive line that already boasts two of the best defensive ends in the league in Robert Quinn and Demarcus Lawrence. Quinn, in particular, has been a game-changer to start the season with 6.5 sacks in five appearances, including three sacks in his last two games.
If Bennett can have that sort of an impact for the Cowboys defense, one of the league’s top five units in terms of yards allowed will be that much better. Bennett brings the added versatility of being able to excel as a defensive tackle, so it will be exciting to see how Marinelli uses him.
He’ll have the bye week to get settled in, and it’s safe to say the Cowboys can expect the well-rounded, experienced, intelligent, and vicious Bennett to hit the ground running quickly. Dallas has a run a tough games after the bye, including a date with Bennett’s former employers, the Patriots, in Week 12. Bennett will also get to face the Eagles in Week 16.