The Dallas Cowboys knew they were going to be busy on Sunday, and they sure have. Since the shocking release of running back Jaydon Blue, the Cowboys have made another trade over the weekend, sending backup offensive tackle Nate Thomas to the Houston Texans.
Thomas was possibly the most reliable backup offensive lineman last season, playing in 17 games and starting four. But his Pro Football Focus grade reflects poorly on him, as he earned an overall score of 39.2, ranking 88th out of 89. That's what the Texans are getting, and now we have to ask whether the Cowboys won this trade.
We'll break down what it means for the Cowboys and the Texans.
Grading the trade for the Cowboys
Well, if there's ever an equal trade that no one feels much emotion to, this is probably it.
With Broderick Jones traded to the Cowboys, he's now the new rotational offensive tackle. Jones still needs to prove his worth, but the Joneses clearly see him more as a valuable rotational piece than Thomas.
In return, the Cowboys could've gotten something better. Maybe instead of a seventh-round pick, a fifth-round one? The Joneses probably went through everything they could've to get a better selection, but they got what they got, and now they have a seventh-rounder for 2027.
Grading the trade for the Texans
The Texans have their own issues to solve. C.J. Stroud is the quarterback of the future, but he panics in playoff games and needs all the help he can get on the offensive line.
As of now, Thomas looks to be the third option at OT. He's behind Trent Brown and Blake Fisher, and the Texans have Aireontae Ersery and Braden Smith starting. That's quite the battle for him to get the minutes.
This doesn't move the needle much for the Texans, but they get someone who still has time in the NFL at 25. They only have to give up a seventh-round pick, and it's something they can build off of.
As we said, it doesn't move the needle much for either side, but the Cowboys get a draft pick after giving up two picks.
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