Dallas Cowboys

Summary: Pittsburgh moved George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Analysis: Pittsburgh sold a talented but volatile receiver for solid draft value while modestly improving a future Day 3 pick. Dallas took on the upside and the behavioral/contract risk. The verdict remains a Pittsburgh lean, but the row should stay provisional until the picks and Pickens's Dallas tenure are easier to evaluate.

Too early for a final verdict. Minnesota received Nahshon Wright and sent Andrew Booth; grade should stay TBD until the assets develop.

Seattle acquired 2016 7th round pick (225th overall subsequently traded, Devin Lucien) from Dallas Cowboys on 2015-09-06, sending Christine Michael in return. From a hindsight view, the Seahawks neither created a defining win nor suffered a major loss here. The important public-facing detail is the actual exchange — 2016 7th round pick (225th overall subsequently traded, Devin Lucien) for Christine Michael — rather than a forced storyline. That makes the row useful for database completeness while keeping it below the major-trade tier.

Denver acquired 2010 5th round pick (158th overall subsequently traded, Matt Tennant) from Dallas Cowboys for Montrae Holland. Denver converted Montrae Holland into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Dallas Cowboys lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Summary: Jacksonville acquired 2008 5th round pick (155th overall, Thomas Williams), 2008 7th round pick (213th overall, Chauncey Washington) from Dallas Cowboys for 2008 5th round pick (143rd overall, Orlando Scandrick). Analysis: Jacksonville converted a roster piece into draft capital. The return was modest, but the move created usable asset value.

Seattle moved down from #25 to #28 in the 2008 draft, selecting DE Lawrence Jackson and adding later picks. The extra picks made the value chart reasonable, but the outcome was ordinary. Jackson had flashes without becoming the front-line pass rusher Seattle hoped for, while the added selections produced role-player value at best. This is a major row because it involved first-round capital, but the grade should be read as process-positive rather than outcome-great.

Denver and Dallas Cowboys agreed to a conditional or physical-dependent transaction involving Charlie Adams and 2007 5th round pick (Trade not exercised, Adams failed physical), but the raw record indicates the deal did not fully take effect as originally planned. Because the raw record describes the trade as voided, not exercised, or dependent on conditions that did not materialize, this row is best treated as a historical transaction note rather than a fully graded personnel exchange.

Summary: Jacksonville moved from pick 92 to pick 80 in the 2006 draft, sending Dallas pick 92 and pick 125 to select linebacker Clint Ingram. Analysis: Ingram became a useful starter-caliber defender for Jacksonville, but Dallas landed Jason Hatcher at 92, and Hatcher became the best long-term player in the exchange. The move was defensible but not a major Jaguars win.

Summary: Jacksonville acquired an undisclosed 2005 draft pick from Dallas Cowboys for Seth Marler. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange. Jacksonville addressed a roster or draft-board preference, while the partner received comparable value in return.

Seattle traded WR Joey Galloway to Dallas for back-to-back first-round picks. The 2000 pick became RB Shaun Alexander, the 2005 NFL MVP and franchise rushing leader, while the 2001 pick was later moved in the Koren Robinson chain. Dallas paid premium value for a receiver who tore his ACL in Week 1 of his Cowboys career. The Galloway return became a franchise-altering pick chain. Dallas paid a massive price for a veteran receiver who lost his first Cowboys season to injury, while Seattle turned one of the picks into Shaun Alexander, the NFL's 2005 MVP and the league's single-season rushing-touchdown record holder. Winner: Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle acquired 2000 3rd round pick (80th overall, Darrell Jackson) from Dallas Cowboys on 1999-06-25, sending James McKnight in return. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired 2000 3rd round pick (80th overall, Darrell Jackson) and gave up James McKnight, with the available evidence supporting a C+ grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history.

Seattle moved down from #20 to #22 in the 1999 first round with Dallas, adding a fifth-round pick and selecting DE Lamar King. The trade-down itself was modest, but the outcome was underwhelming because King never delivered the pass-rush value expected from a first-round defensive end. Dallas used the original slot on Ebenezer Ekuban, who had the longer career. The move earns a mid-tier grade because the asset exchange was reasonable, not because Seattle maximized the pick.

Denver acquired (past considerations) from Dallas Cowboys for Patrick Jeffers. This remains a low-scale transaction built around cash, conditional terms, or incomplete draft compensation. It is retained for trade-history completeness, with conservative grades because the verified long-term impact is limited.

Denver acquired 1999 5th round pick (158th overall, David Bowens) from Dallas Cowboys for Kendall Watkins. Denver converted Kendall Watkins into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Dallas Cowboys lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Seattle acquired 1998 6th round pick (162nd overall, Carl Hansen); 1998 7th round pick (197th overall, Jason McEndoo) from Dallas Cowboys on 1998-04-19, sending 1998 5th round pick (138th overall, Oliver Ross) in return. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired 1998 6th round pick (162nd overall, Carl Hansen); 1998 7th round pick (197th overall, Jason McEndoo) and gave up 1998 5th round pick (138th overall, Oliver Ross), with the available evidence supporting a C grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired 1993 fifth round pick (#140-Marc Woodard) from Dallas Cowboys for Thomas Everett. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Dallas Cowboys received comparable value in return.

Denver acquired David Widell / Dave Widell from Dallas Cowboys for 1991 seventh round pick (#173-Leon Lett); 1992 conditional pick (probably #222-Mike Pawlawski). Denver paid draft capital for David Widell / Dave Widell, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Dallas Cowboys.

Denver and Dallas Cowboys agreed to a conditional or physical-dependent transaction involving Lorenzo Hampton and 1991 conditional middle-to-late draft pick (not exercised?), but the raw record indicates the deal did not fully take effect as originally planned. Because the raw record describes the trade as voided, not exercised, or dependent on conditions that did not materialize, this row is best treated as a historical transaction note rather than a fully graded personnel exchange.

Summary: Pittsburgh traded the 17th overall pick to Dallas for the 21st pick and a third-round selection. Dallas used the 17th pick on Emmitt Smith, who went on to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher and a Hall of Famer. Analysis: Emmitt Smith won three Super Bowls, three rushing titles, a league MVP, and became the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Pittsburgh moved down just four spots and received a modest third-round sweetener. Eric Green (#21) was a talented tight end but suffered from consistency issues; Craig Veasey (#81) was a reserve. The pick differential (4 spots) did not justify foregoing a generational rusher. This is one of the worst draft-day trades in Pittsburgh history. Downgraded from A- to F for Pittsburgh.

The Herschel Walker trade became the franchise’s most infamous deal, costing Minnesota massive draft/player capital without delivering a Super Bowl.

Seattle acquired Daryle Smith from Dallas Cowboys on 1989-07-25, sending 1990 ninth round pick (#230-Leon Perry (b. 1966-10-16)) in return. Seattle's side of this 1989 draft-capital exchange was straightforward: the Seahawks received Daryle Smith and surrendered 1990 ninth round pick (#230-Leon Perry (b. 1966-10-16)). The B grade reflects the known return, while Dallas Cowboys's C grade accounts for the countervalue. The trade belongs as a standard database entry because its documented impact was real but not franchise-shaping.

Denver acquired Kevin Brooks; 1990 fourth round pick (#82-Jeroy Robinson) from Dallas Cowboys in exchange for 1990 third round pick (#80-Greg McMurtry). This was primarily a draft-position exchange, with Denver reshaping its pick stack rather than adding an established player. The grades stay conservative because the historical value depends on how the selected players developed after the swap.

Denver acquired Tony Dorsett from Dallas Cowboys for 1989 conditional fifth round pick (#125-Jeff Roth). Denver paid draft capital for Tony Dorsett, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Dallas Cowboys.

Seattle acquired 1988 fifth round pick (#120-Chris Gaines) from Dallas Cowboys on 1987-08-25, sending Ron Essink in return. This transaction fits Seattle's broader roster-building record for 1987: targeted asset movement, limited known aftershocks, and no obvious franchise-altering result. The Seahawks' C+ grade is tied to receiving 1988 fifth round pick (#120-Chris Gaines) while parting with Ron Essink. Dallas Cowboys's side is graded C because the exchange appears roughly balanced from the available record.

Seattle acquired Efren Herrera from Dallas Cowboys on 1978-08-15, sending 1979 fifth round pick (#128-Curtis Anderson (Lee)) in return. This transaction fits Seattle's broader roster-building record for 1978: targeted asset movement, limited known aftershocks, and no obvious franchise-altering result. The Seahawks' B grade is tied to receiving Efren Herrera while parting with 1979 fifth round pick (#128-Curtis Anderson (Lee)). Dallas Cowboys's side is graded C because the exchange appears roughly balanced from the available record.

Denver acquired Jim Jensen (Douglas) from Dallas Cowboys for 1979 sixth round pick (#160-Mike Salzano). Denver paid draft capital for Jim Jensen (Douglas), making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Dallas Cowboys.

Seattle acquired Duke Ferguson from Dallas Cowboys on 1977-05-03, sending 1977 second round pick (#54-Glenn Carano) in return. Seattle's side of this 1977 draft-capital exchange was straightforward: the Seahawks received Duke Ferguson and surrendered 1977 second round pick (#54-Glenn Carano). The B grade reflects the known return, while Dallas Cowboys's C grade accounts for the countervalue. The trade belongs as a standard database entry because its documented impact was real but not franchise-shaping.

Denver acquired draft pick (?-?) from Dallas Cowboys for Bobby Anderson. Denver converted Bobby Anderson into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Dallas Cowboys lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Denver acquired Otto Stowe from Dallas Cowboys in exchange for 1976 third round pick (#75-John Smith). Denver paid draft capital for Otto Stowe, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Dallas Cowboys.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired draft pick (?-?) from Dallas Cowboys for Bill Saul. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Dallas Cowboys received comparable value in return. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Mike Connelly from Dallas Cowboys for future considerations / undisclosed terms (?). Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Dallas Cowboys received comparable value in return. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired future considerations (Mike Connelly on 1968-08-19) from Dallas Cowboys for rights to Mike Clark (Vincent). Analysis: This 1968 transaction involved the trading of player rights — common in the pre-merger era when rosters were more fluid and player movement less formalized. Rights trades carried uncertainty since the players involved might not join the acquiring team. The value reflected positional need and scouting judgment more than established track records.

Vikings received Jim Colvin / Rocky Colvin; sent undisclosed high draft pick (?-?).

Vikings received 1968 third round pick (#76-Mike McGill); sent Lance Rentzel.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Lee Folkins from Dallas Cowboys for 1966 twelfth round pick (#173-Les Shy). Analysis: The trade grades against Pittsburgh because the outgoing side carried more durable value, stronger draft upside, or a better long-term return for Dallas Cowboys.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired rights to Scott Appleton from Dallas Cowboys for Gilbert Dial / Buddy Dial. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Dallas Cowboys received comparable value in return.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Steve Meilinger from Dallas Cowboys for 1962 draft pick (?-?). Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Dallas Cowboys received comparable value in return. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Bill Butler (a); Dick Klein from Dallas Cowboys for Dick Moegle / Dicky Moegle / Dickie Moegle. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Dallas Cowboys received comparable value in return.