The Dallas Cowboys just made a big move by trading for veteran defensive lineman Jordan Phillips from the New York Giants. It’s safe to say this Cowboys trade could shake things up for both teams, especially with the 2024 NFL season right around the corner.
This trade was sealed on Thursday. The Cowboys acquired Jordan Phillips and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick. In return, they’re sending the other team their 2026 sixth-round pick.
Initially reported by NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the deal includes a conditional clause: it will only be finalized if Phillips stays on the Cowboys’ roster for at least two games this season.
Phillips is a seasoned NFL veteran with nine years under his belt, and he’s ready to bring his skills and versatility to the Cowboys’ defense. Over his career, he’s taken the field with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Arizona Cardinals.
Last season, he started nine games for the Bills, racking up 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Although he mainly lines up as an interior lineman, Phillips can also step in as a defensive end.
And this flexibility gives the Cowboys valuable added depth, which is crucial in light of this Dallas Cowboys signing.
It’s clear that Phillips’ arrival is timely, especially after the Cowboys lost defensive end Sam Williams to a season-ending knee injury. They had tried to fill this gap with Shaka Toney, who was recently waived after getting injured.
Having briefly been with the Giants before the trade, Phillips’ knows a thing or two about their offensive playbook. And this insider knowledge could spice up the rivalry between these NFC East contenders.
So, Phillips might just be the X-factor when the Cowboys take on the Giants this season.
While the Giants let go of Phillips, they’ve been busy making other roster changes as they gear up for their second preseason game and prepare to finalize their 53-man roster.
The team signed running back Joshua Kelley and safeties Raheem Layne and Jonathan Sutherland, bringing in fresh talent.
In related moves, the Giants released defensive back Jalen Mills, who was dealing with a calf injury, and placed defensive back Elijah Riley on injured reserve.
Joshua Kelley, the new running back for the Giants, previously played for the Los Angeles Chargers and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Kelley, who is 5-11 and 212 pounds, has a solid record with 1,148 rushing yards and six touchdowns over 54 games.
Amazingly, he also added 319 receiving yards on 50 catches. During his college years at UC Davis and UCLA, Kelley stood out, rushing for over 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns in two seasons with the Bruins.
The Giants also strengthened their defense by signing Raheem Layne and Jonathan Sutherland. Layne, who is 5-11 and 192 pounds, spent his first two NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, playing in 11 games before a torn ACL ended his 2022 season.
Before going pro, Layne was a key player at Indiana University, where he switched from cornerback to safety and earned praise for his defense and special teams play.
Jonathan Sutherland, who is 5-11 and 202 pounds, is looking to make his mark in the NFL after spending last season on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad.
While he hasn’t played in an NFL game yet, Sutherland had an incredible college career at Penn State, where he was a team captain for four years and was known for his leadership and consistency.
As the Giants and Cowboys gear up for the new season, they navigate key roster changes, highlighting how dynamic and strategic NFL team management can be.
With a tight deadline of August 27 to cut their roster down to 53 players, the Giants need to make each decision count.
The Cowboys’ decision to acquire Jordan Phillips is seen as a calculated risk. However, if he meshes well with their defense, it could seriously boost their playoff chances.
On the other hand, the Giants will closely watch how their new additions, particularly Kelley, Layne, and Sutherland, perform as they build a roster capable of competing in the highly competitive NFC East.