NFL analyst gives Cowboys brutal grade for Logan Wilson trade

Early on Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys made it official as they sent a seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for linebacker Logan Wilson.

A sixth-year pro out of Wisconsin, Wilson recently requested a trade after losing snaps to rookies Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight. Dallas reportedly showed interest since Wilson became available, finally pulling the trigger on the same day as the NFL trade deadline.

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This seems like a good deal for the Cowboys, who landed a three-down linebacker for a mere seventh-rounder. Considering they had two picks in that round, it feels like a move that has little risk and a potentially high payoff.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson celebrates a victory late in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks. | Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Not everyone is impressed, however. SI.com's Matt Verderame graded the move for Dallas, and gave them a D. He says the struggling franchise shouldn't be surrendering picks since one player won't make a difference. He also feels the salary for Wilson is on the high end.

"All that said, Dallas shouldn’t be giving up any draft capital. The Cowboys are 3–5–1, especially after losing at home on Monday night to the Cardinals. Dallas sits in purgatory, too talented to completely bottom out while also having far too many holes on its roster to legitimately compete for a playoff spot," Verderame wrote.

"Owner and general manager Jerry Jones can’t seem to commit to either direction. This offseason, he extended tight end Jake Ferguson on a four-year, $52 million deal. He also traded a third-round pick for receiver George Pickens before trading away All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark."

Cowboys made this move with an eye on the future

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson and linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. walk off the field. | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Verderame makes a couple of solid points, especially when it comes to the lack of commitment from Jerry Jones. On one hand, he goes out and adds George Pickens to build an elite passing attack. On the other, he ships off Micah Parsons after contract negotiations didn't go exactly as he planned.

MORE: Dallas Cowboys 2025 NFL trade deadline tracker, latest news & rumors

That said, it's hard to be too upset by this move. Dallas was unlikely to get anyone of significance with the pick they sent to Cincinnati, and they need starters in the worst way.

Wilson offers them a starting-caliber player, and he's under contract for two more years. Sure, the $6 million tag he carries isn't cheap, as Verderame pointed out, but it's not back-breaking either. That's why his grade seems a little harsh, but time will tell.

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