Dallas Cowboys officials are being urged to trade edge rusher James Houston before the start of the 2026 NFL season, according to a recent Sporting News report published June 3. The numbers reveal his snap share fell to just 28% last year, raising doubts about his fit in Dallas Cowboys schemes.
The push comes as Houston posted 5.5 sacks and 19 pressures, prompting analysts to question his long‑term value and the front office brass to consider cap relief.
What sparked the trade chatter?
The Cowboys entered the 2025 campaign with Houston as a designated pass‑rusher, yet his snap count dropped dramatically in the final months. Moe Moton, writing for Bleacher Report, argued the team should convert Houston’s value into future draft capital rather than let him languish on the depth chart. Moton cited a pattern of under‑utilized edge talent on Dallas rosters—most notably the 2022‑23 decline of Randy Gregory—as evidence that the organization often prefers to monetize surplus pass rushers before they become contract liabilities.
James Houston’s recent production
Houston recorded 5.5 sacks and generated 19 quarterback pressures while appearing on only 28% of defensive snaps last season. Film study by Pro Football Focus shows his burst off the line remains elite; his 4.2‑second 10‑yard split ranks in the top 10% of all edge players. However, the limited usage suggests the coaching staff doubts his consistency in set‑piece situations. In coverage‑run support, Houston’s missed tackle rate rose to 7.2%, up from 4.5% in his rookie year, further fueling speculation that Dallas views him as a situational pass‑rusher rather than a three‑down defender.
Historical context for Houston’s tenure
James Houston entered Dallas as a second‑round pick (55th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed a four‑year, $7.6 million rookie contract with a $3.1 million signing bonus. In his rookie campaign, Houston tallied 8.0 sacks, 12 pressures, and a 56% win rate on pass‑rush moves, earning a spot on the PFWA All‑Rookie Team. The 2023 season was derailed by a high‑ankle sprain that limited him to nine games; he posted 3.0 sacks and missed three starts due to a lingering ankle issue. In 2024, a shoulder subluxation required offseason surgery, and Houston missed the first six weeks of the regular season. When he returned, he was inserted primarily in third‑down passing situations, accounting for the 28% snap share that now defines his 2025 usage.
Comparatively, other second‑round edge rushers from the 2022 class—such as Isaiah Buggs (LAR) and Derek Barnett (DET)—have either cemented starting roles or been moved on after similar injury‑laden stretches. Houston’s trajectory mirrors that of former Cowboys first‑round pick Jordan Davis (2018), whose early promise was muted by injuries and ultimately resulted in a trade to the Indianapolis Colts in 2023 for a seventh‑round pick and cash considerations.
Team history and defensive philosophy
Dallas has traditionally favored a 4‑3 alignment under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, emphasizing interior pressure from DeMarcus Lawrence and a rotating edge corps. Since Quinn’s arrival in 2021, the Cowboys have relied on a blend of veteran depth (e.g., Brent Urban, Randy Gregory) and high‑upside draft picks (e.g., Micah Parsons). The 2025 defensive roster features three players with double‑digit sack totals—Parsons (12), Lawrence (10), and Wilson (11)—leaving limited rotational spots for additional pass rushers. Quinn’s recent comments at the 2025 NFL Draft Combine hinted that the team is scouting a “dynamic, two‑technique edge” who can line up both on the outside and as a stand‑up linebacker, suggesting a strategic shift that could marginalize Houston’s role.
Potential impact of a trade
If the Dallas Cowboys trade Houston now, they free up a modest cap hit while potentially adding picks that could address other roster holes, such as interior defensive line depth or a versatile linebacker. The market for a player with Houston’s recent production and contract structure typically yields a mid‑round pick (third‑ or fourth‑round) plus a conditional later selection tied to future sack totals. In a recent trade involving the Jacksonville Jaguars and a former Cowboys edge rusher, Dallas received a 2026 fourth‑rounder and a 2027 seventh‑rounder, illustrating a realistic ceiling for Houston’s value.
Retaining him as insurance, however, preserves a proven pass‑rusher should injuries arise on the edge. The Cowboys’s last‑minute acquisition of veteran edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue in 2024 proved valuable when Lawrence missed two games with a groin strain; Ngakoue contributed 2.5 sacks in three starts. A similar scenario could unfold with Houston, especially given the wear and tear on the Cowboys’s front seven in the high‑tempo Dallas offense.
From a cap perspective, Houston’s contract carries a base salary of $4.5 million for 2026, with a $1.2 million roster bonus. Moving him would clear that amount and reduce dead‑money from a $2.1 million signing‑bonus proration that would otherwise accelerate if he were released. The freed space could be redirected toward a rookie contract for a 2026 edge‑rusher drafted in the second round, where the average rookie deal is approximately $2.9 million per year over four years.
Key developments
- Moe Moton authored the trade‑advice piece for Bleacher Report, adding credibility to the speculation.
- The Sporting News article was published on June 3, 2026, indicating the timeline is already in motion.
- Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn hinted the team may draft a new edge rusher in the upcoming draft, signaling a possible shift in personnel strategy.
- General manager Jerry Jones reportedly met with Houston’s agent on May 28 to discuss a potential extension, a move often interpreted as a pre‑trade maneuver to preserve trade value.
- Analytics firm Football Outsiders projected a 0.45 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) contribution from Houston in 2025, down from 0.78 in 2022, reinforcing the argument that his on‑field value has diminished.
Why this matters for Dallas Cowboys fans
Dallas Cowboys supporters must decide whether to keep a proven pass‑rusher who can still generate pressure or to cash in for draft assets that could rebuild the defense for years to come. The decision will shape the team’s identity heading into the 2026 season, influencing everything from free‑agency budgeting to the defensive scheme’s flexibility. A trade could also send a signal to the locker room about the front office’s willingness to pivot quickly, a factor that may affect morale and the perception of stability under head coach Mike McCarthy, who entered his third year in Dallas.
What draft capital could the Cowboys realistically receive for James Houston?
Based on recent market values for edge players with sub‑130% snap shares, teams typically offer a mid‑round pick (third‑ or fourth‑round) and a conditional later selection. Dallas could leverage Houston’s sack total to negotiate a higher‑valued pick if a buyer values his pass‑rush upside. The most realistic scenario, according to trade‑value charts from Spotrac, is a 2026 fourth‑round pick plus a 2027 conditional seventh‑rounder that escalates to a sixth‑rounder if Houston records five or more sacks for the new team.
How does James Houston’s snap percentage compare to other Cowboys edge rushers?
In 2025, rookie edge rusher Malik Jefferson logged 70% of defensive snaps, while veteran DeMarcus Lawrence averaged 55%. Houston’s 28% usage places him well below the team’s typical rotation, underscoring the trade argument. Even compared to special‑teams specialists like La’Roi Glover (who averaged 22% in a similar backup role in 2022), Houston’s snap count is low for a player who was originally slated as a primary pass‑rusher.
Will trading Houston affect the Cowboys’ salary‑cap situation?
Houston’s contract carries a modest cap hit of roughly $4.5 million per year. Moving him could free that amount and any associated dead money, giving Dallas additional flexibility to sign a younger, cheaper pass‑rusher or address other positional needs. The cap relief would also allow the Cowboys to retain more of their 2026 free‑agency budget, which analysts project at $32 million after accounting for the projected $12 million in qualifying offers to key veterans.
