Dallas Cowboys–Denver Broncos Trade History

Denver acquired receiver Otto Stowe from Dallas on September 5, 1974 for a 1976 third-round choice that became John Smith at No. 75. Stowe's Denver stay was brief: eight games, two catches, nine receiving yards and one touchdown in 1974. Dallas received valuable draft position in theory, but Smith did not produce an NFL career for the Cowboys after being selected with the acquired pick. That balance of realized value gives the edge to Denver Broncos.

Dallas Cowboys received 1979 sixth round pick (#160-Mike Salzano) in the 1977-09-11 exchange with Denver Broncos. The future sixth-round selection became Mike Salzano, who did not appear in an NFL regular-season game for Dallas. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Dallas Cowboys surrendered, the result supports Denver Broncos Win and a D+ grade for Dallas Cowboys.

Denver acquired Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett from Dallas for a conditional 1989 fifth-round pick that became No. 125, Jeff Roth. Dorsett was near the end of his career but still rushed for 703 yards and five touchdowns in 1988, starting 13 games. Dallas gained a useful mid-round asset, yet Denver received immediate production from a proven veteran at a modest price. The Broncos earn a narrow hindsight edge.

Denver acquired defensive lineman Kevin Brooks from Dallas on July 10, 1989 and also received a 1990 fourth-round pick that became Jeroy Robinson, while Dallas received a 1990 third-rounder. Brooks never played a regular-season game for Denver, and Robinson appeared in only a handful of NFL games. Dallas retained the more useful draft asset and later leveraged that pick in additional draft movement, giving the Cowboys the edge.

Denver acquired tackle-center Dave Widell from Dallas in August 1990 for a 1991 seventh-round pick that became Leon Lett and a conditional 1992 selection. Widell went on to a 156-game NFL career and gave Denver substantial line value, while Lett became a major Cowboys defender. Dallas wins the trade, but Denver also received a productive long-term player, so both grades stay strong.

Denver traded Kendall Watkins to Dallas on August 19, 1998 for a 1999 fifth-round selection. The pick became No. 158, David Bowens. Dallas received immediate roster depth, while Denver converted Watkins into a player who went on to have a lengthy NFL career. Even though much of Bowens' later production came elsewhere, the realized draft value gives Denver the stronger return.

Dallas acquired receiver Patrick Jeffers from Denver for past considerations just before the 1998 season. Jeffers produced meaningful short-term value for the Cowboys, appearing in eight games with one start and catching 18 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Denver's return is not identified beyond past considerations, so no specific asset can be credited. Dallas therefore gets the win for converting an imprecise cost into a productive half-season receiving contribution.

Dallas acquired guard Montrae Holland from Denver shortly before the 2008 season and sent the Broncos a 2010 fifth-round pick. The choice became No. 158 but moved through later transactions before Matt Tennant was selected, so Tennant was not Denver's direct player return. Holland offered Dallas immediate offensive-line depth, while Denver banked a modest future asset. Dallas gets a narrow edge.