It may turn out to be a trade that significantly alters the Dallas Cowboys defense. The New England Patriots basically dumped Michael Bennett on the Cowboys for what will eventually be a sixth-round pick in 2021. That’s a pittance paid by Dallas, but the return may be huge.

It was only one game, but Michael Bennett was wreaking havoc in the New York Giants backfield on Monday night. His stats read three tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hits. Combined with DeMarcus Lawrence, they tore up the Giants offensive line.

In total, the Cowboys had five sacks and hit Daniel Jones 11 times. They forced one fumble on a sack which was scooped up for a Jourdan Lewis touchdown.

When the season began, the defensive line was supposed to be a strength. A slow start to the season combined with Robert Quinn’s injury/suspension made the team rethink that strength. Once Quinn arrived, things got better but the Cowboys were not yet the force in the pass rush they wanted to be. They still needed another piece.

They may have got it. Bennett was every bit as good as Lawrence on the night, and between those two and Quinn, the Cowboys should be capable of harassing quarterbacks the rest of the year.

A sixth-rounder for Quinn, a sixth-rounder for Bennett. Too bad the trade deadline has come and gone. Dallas could have flipped their 2022 sixth-rounder for another pass rush specialist.