The Dallas Cowboys trade Raiders for a run-stopper in Johnathan Hankins

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the top defensive unit in the entire NFL. But if they possess any sort of a kryptonite, it’s their rushing defense. According to ESPN analytics, the Cowboys rank 30th in the league with a 28% team run stop win rate.

Unfortunately, Dallas has a plethora of run-heavy teams on their upcoming schedule. That includes the Chicago Bears this weekend, who have the top rushing offense in the NFL averaging a whopping 181.0 on the ground per game.

In order to address this need, the Cowboys made a move to make them more stout in the middle of their defensive line. On Tuesday, Dallas announced they had made a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for veteran defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. According to various sources, the Cowboys are sending a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Raiders for Hankins and a seventh-round selection in 2024.

Hankins will count $718,644 against the Cowboys’ salary cap for the reminder of thIS season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next year. That according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Originally a second-round pick by the New York Giants back in 2013 out of Ohio State, Hankins would play his first four seasons as a pro with the G-Men. His best season coming in 2014 when he recorded 7.0 sacks, 51 combined tackles, 12 QB hits, and eight tackles for loss.

After spending a short stint with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, the now 30-year old Hankins has spent the past five years with the Raiders.

Here’s what Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan had to say about the Hankins’ trade and a offered a quick breakdown of his traits.

“Anchor Nose. Tough, physical, and has some nasty to him. Good double team anchor. Won’t get a lot of tackles. Short range guy, can max out to the C gap. Will keep the LBs clean. Does the dirty work. I like him for what he is. Good addition for me.”

Bryan Broaddus via Twitter on Tuesday

The trade for Johnathan Hankins gives the Dallas Cowboys a wide body (6-3, 340 pounds) to clog up the middle of their defensive line, closing those rushing lanes for opposing running backs. And it does so at a fairly low cost, essentially swapping late-round picks to acquire him as well as getting a very manageable salary in return on what is essentially a team-friendly player rental for the rest of this season.