What happened: Dallas added Joey Porter Jr. to a secondary that has already cycled through 12 defensive backs in three games. The move cost a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth, and Porter comes off a 2025 season with 52 tackles, one sack and one interception in 14 games.

Why it matters: For the Cowboys, the deal adds an established outside corner to a defense that has had to reshuffle personnel early in the season. It also shows Dallas was willing to spend future draft capital for immediate help instead of waiting for the secondary to stabilize on its own.

What to watch: The next question is how quickly Porter is active and where he slots into the rotation. His first workload will show how fast Dallas expects him to steady the back end.