It’s hard to believe it’s been just over two weeks since the Dallas Cowboys shocked the NFL by making a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers, sending away franchise cornerstone and superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons.
After Dallas’ Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the defense could use help off the edge following Parsons’ departure. The team was recently predicted to target a young pass rusher with 23 career sacks.
Dallas Cowboys Predicted to Target Young Pass Rusher After Micah Parsons’ Departure
For reasons beyond explanation, Jerry Jones thought it was a good idea to trade away Parsons. The move looks disastrous, as Parsons has been dominant for Green Bay through two weeks, while Dallas managed just one sack in its season opener against the Eagles.
Got ’em!
đź“ş: Prime Video pic.twitter.com/CQcKCaOWGR
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 12, 2025
The most important part of an NFL defense’s success is its ability to pressure the quarterback. Having guys who can get after the passer helps defenses force the quarterback to make errors, which can result in sacks, and most importantly, takes the pressure off the secondary.
If Dallas wants to have a successful 2025 season, it needs a better pass rush, and Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently predicted the team would make a move for Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins.
Knox’s projected trade has Dallas giving up a fourth-round pick in return for Phillips, who was selected No. 18 overall by Miami in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Phillips has been relatively productive throughout his NFL career, recording 23 sacks through his first four seasons. However, he’s dealt with injuries and only appeared in 12 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Given his injury history, Knox’s projected offer of a fourth-round pick could be something Miami considers.
Jaelan Phillips vs Lane Johnson. Phillips counters inside to beat the jump set & uses great play strength/reach to work through a hold, keep Hurts from throwing the ball & gets the sack! #passrush #dolphins pic.twitter.com/xEnmX9tI8b
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) October 23, 2023
In addition to his injury history, Phillips is on his rookie fifth-year option and in the final year of his deal, making him even more expendable for Miami.
While Jones didn’t want to give Parsons the mega extension he was seeking from Dallas, he could likely give up a day-three pick for Phillips, as he would be much more cost-effective to extend than Parsons.
Predicting trades in the NFL is almost impossible. Still, if Dallas’ struggles to get after the passer continue until the trade deadline and Miami keeps looking like one of the worst teams in the league, as they did in their week one loss to the Indianapolis Colts, this could be a deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides.
