Dave Ziegler, general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, hasn’t been afraid to trade players from the previous regime. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, today’s victim was Johnathan Hankins, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a draft pick. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network confirmed that the Cowboys will send a 2023 sixth-round pick for Hankins and the Raiders will send back a 2024 seventh-round pick.
How does Johnathan Hankins help the Dallas Cowboys?
Although the Cowboys have a formidable defense that is anchored by Micah Parsons, there have been some concerns raised about the defensive tackle position. Osa Odighizuwa has been a mainstay for their interior defensive line; their other starter, Neville Gallimore, has raised some doubts. Gallimore was a healthy scratch against the Detroit Lions and didn’t play.
Hankins is arguably past his best years. Nevertheless, he is still a respectable run stopper and a solid depth piece, which is what the Cowboys need. The rest of the Cowboys’ defensive line fills in for Hankins’ lack of pass rush. The Cowboys’ defensive tackles are also being put under pressure by this move. Why do you ask? Well, their front office is signaling to them that they aren’t afraid to add players to help out their interior defensive line. Hankins won’t be a star, but he can still make a difference.
Breaking Raiders News: This Trade Is A Win For Dave Ziegler
Hankins, a reserve for the Raiders, had been getting less playing time as the year went on. According to Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton, Hankins only took part in 18 percent of the snaps against the Houston Texans and was inactive against the Kansas City Chiefs. This was a sign that his time with the Silver and Black was about to end. Andrew Billings, Bilal Nichols, and Kendal Vickers, among other defensive tackles, were all outplaying Hankins. Hankins is the outlier because Ziegler also drafted Matthew Butler and Neil Farrell Jr. in this year’s draft.
Ziegler is acting wisely by doing this. The best general managers find ways to exchange draft compensation for players who aren’t in the rotation. Clearly, the Raiders are committed to developing their young players. So in hindsight, getting a sixth-round pick in exchange for an experienced backup defensive tackle is a success.
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*Top Photo: Erik Risberg/Associated Press
