Cowboys Trade Gossip: Move Mazi Smith Up, Dump Hankins?!

In a major philosophical change, the Cowboys grabbed Johnathan Hankins and Mazi Smith, another wide-body. Why would Dallas undo that with a stupid trade?

FRISCO - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a “skillion” funny pet words and phrases gleaned from a life in football and beyond. 

Yes, “skillion” is one of those “Jerryisms.” And another is, “Make your strengths stronger.” Dallas has done exactly that in the offensive line, and a decade’s-worth of Pro Bowl-level O-linemen have worn the star as a result.

On the flip side, Dallas has not been able to execute that philosophy at defensive tackle. It’s not been an area in which the Cowboys have used big capital (cap or draft) to roster-build.

Suddenly, though, a change, Dallas traded for veteran run-stopping defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins late last year, then in free agency coerced him to stay. … and then took Michigan standout Mazi Smith, another wide-body, with the No. 26 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

All of this marks a big change in how Dallas does business … but now Bleacher Report is strangely urging the Cowboys to undo it 

“If Smith defies expectations and establishes himself as a starter ahead of Week 1, Hankins could become expendable,” BR writes. “Moving Hankins would save $940,000 in 2023 cap space and would likely offset the cost of acquiring him in the first place—a 2024 seventh-round pick.”

We cannot avoid being harsh here: This is revoke-your-media-credential-level stupid. There is no “hinge” that the Cowboys are waiting on regarding “Smith’s development. There is no trade involving “getting a 2024 seventh-round pick” that would justify dumping Hankins. (Dallas will get at least that in a compensatory pick if he leaves here next year). And BR misses another big point staring it right in the face …

Hankins’ contract (one year, $1.3 million) is remarkably cheap - so much so that moving on from him would would Dallas just that aforementioned $940,000.

And BR thinks $940,000 is the reason to dump Hankins? No, fellas … $940,000 is a reason to keep him.

Mazi will likely eventually beat out Hankins, 31. But also likely is that Hankins remains a year-long fixture as a rotational run-stopper … and will sometimes even share the field when Dallas wants to stifle the run.

Mazi Smith and Johnathan Hankins leading the Cowboys defense in run-clogging? They’re about to do it Jerry’s way, with a Texas twist: Dallas is turning a weakness into a strength.

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