The 2022 NFL trade deadline isn’t until November 1 but some teams are taking advantage of the time they have to fill some much-needed spots in their roster.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the Las Vegas Raiders are trading defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins to the Dallas Cowboys.
Source: The #Raiders are trading DT Johnathan Hankins to the #Cowboys in exchange for draft pick compensation. Some key defensive depth up front.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 25, 2022
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero then added that the Cowboys would be sending a 2023 sixth-round pick back to the Raiders in the deal. The Raiders also threw a 2024 seventh-round pick into the mix along with Hankins.
The #Cowboys are sending a 2023 sixth-round pick to Las Vegas for Johnathan Hankins, per source. https://t.co/kcEnHwHxG6
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2022
While the Cowboys’ defense has been strong this season and is a large part of the reason they’re currently 5-2, they have a strong need to shore up their run defense in the coming weeks, which is where Hankins makes sense. The Cowboys’ defense has 29 sacks and has allowed just 1,296 net passing yards, but they’re about to face four teams with strong running games.
Hankins was initially a second-round pick in 2013 by the New York Giants. He’s currently in his 10th season in the league and had spent the last five with the Raiders. So far on the season he’s played in five games, starting one, and garnered 10 tackles and a pass defended.
More than anything, Hankins brings size with him to Dallas. At 340 pounds, he’s bigger than the team’s largest defender, nose tackle Quinton Bohanna, who checks in at 330 pounds. The Cowboys also elevated 305-pound Carlos Watkins to the active roster last week.
The Cowboys are also expected to sign former Ohio State cornerback Kendall Sheffield to their practice squad this week, replacing cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who suffered a lisfranc foot injury.
lets go!!!!!! https://t.co/AdllEOlsge
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 25, 2022
Hankins! https://t.co/rAmyqql1kd
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 25, 2022
Strictly a run stopper at this point. https://t.co/0ldiKgNDAd
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) October 25, 2022
Great trade for DAL. Paying pennies for someone who can legitimately improve the team's interior Run D. #Cowboys https://t.co/MMsC1pHgDy
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 25, 2022
LET'S GO https://t.co/qf5h81Nevf
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 25, 2022
