Grading the trade: The truth about what the Cowboys are getting in LB Logan Wilson after deadline deal with Bengals
What to make of the Dallas Cowboys’ trade for LB Logan Wilson.
The Dallas Cowboys warned the NFL world they were about to make a trade ahead of this year’s deadline regardless of the outcome of their Monday Night Football showdown versus the Arizona Cardinals.
At 3-5-1 and with rapidly declining playoff hopes, the Cowboys traded for Cincinnati Bengals LB Logan Wilson. They’re sending a seventh-round draft pick to facilitate the deal. Wilson, who once led the Bengals in tackles between 2021 and 2023, requested a trade after essentially being benched earlier in the year.
So one hand, low compensation. On the other, a demoted player from the other defense in the NFL causing laughs across the football world. What to make of this deal? Let’s break it down.
Grading the Cowboys’ trade for LB Logan Wilson
Let’s ignore all the noise around the Cowboys and isolate the deal for what it is. A seventh-round draft pick is nothing in terms of trade value. Think about it this way, the most impactful seventh-round draft pick Dallas has made in the last 10 years is probably WR Noah Brown. And it’s not even close.
So giving up a seventh for an experienced veteran like Logan Wilson—whose play might be declining as result of a lingering calf injury but that is probably an upgrade for your middle linebacker position—appears to be very much worthwhile.
On top of that, trade value often is influenced by contractual control over a player. Wilson is signed through the 2027 season, with very manageable salaries in each season; $6 million in 2026, and $6.6 million in 2027, per Over the Cap.
However, I’m not going to tell you to pop out the champagne and start partying. In all likelihood, Wilson’s best football is behind him at 29 years old. Evidence of declining athleticism is already on film, which contributed to the Bengals’ decision to bench him in Week 6.
Wilson might be better than what you have but I can’t help but factor in the fact that this trade might be as much about keeping fan interest alive than it might be about proactive team building.
Worst case scenario? The Cowboys find out that Wilson’s best football is in the rearview mirror and he never quite bounces back. Best case scenario? Dallas get an unspectacular but solid middle linebacker that plugs much-needed holes on defense and gives the team flexibility in next year’s offseason. Maybe in 2026, that calf injury is less of a concern. FINAL GRADE: C+
This story was originally published in A to Z Sports Dallas Cowboys, as Grading the trade: The truth about what the Cowboys are getting in LB Logan Wilson after deadline deal with Bengals
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