Dallas Cowboys–New England Patriots Trade History

Dallas Cowboys received 1972 fourth round pick (#90-Robert West) in the exchange with New England Patriots. Dallas used the fourth-round selection on No. 90 Robert West, but West did not create regular-season value comparable to Kiner's immediate contribution in New England. Against New England Patriots' return of Steve Kiner, that result supports a D+ grade. The transaction is judged as New England Patriots Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Dallas and New England initially announced a larger 1971 exchange involving Duane Thomas, Carl Garrett, Halvor Hagen, Honor Jackson and a Patriots first-round pick, but that structure was partially unwound. Thomas stayed in Dallas and Garrett stayed in New England. The completed exchange sent Hagen and Jackson to New England for 1972 second- and third-round choices, which Dallas used on Robert Newhouse and Mike Keller.

The extraordinary 1971 Dallas-New England deal was partially unwound days after the original exchange. Duane Thomas returned to Dallas and Carl Garrett returned to New England, while the Patriots retained Halvor Hagen and Honor Jackson in return for New England's 1972 second- and third-round choices. Dallas used those picks on Robert Newhouse and Mike Keller. Thomas then helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI, creating the stronger final outcome.

Dallas acquired wide receiver Ron Sellers from New England in July 1972 for a conditional 1973 pick that settled as the third-round selection used on Charles Davis at No. 73. Sellers immediately led the Cowboys with 653 receiving yards and caught the winning touchdown in their divisional playoff comeback. Davis never played an NFL regular-season game, making Dallas the clear hindsight winner.

Dallas Cowboys received 1974 tenth round pick (selection not identified), while New England Patriots received Herb Adderley. Dallas sent Herb Adderley to New England for a 1974 tenth-round choice. Adderley's New England stay lasted only weeks before another move, so Dallas at least secured a draft asset while New England gained virtually no regular-season value. The supported history provides enough detail to judge the exchange without overstating uncertain downstream information. Dallas Cowboys earns a C+ grade, and the overall verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win.

Dallas and New England exchanged three 1990 draft choices apiece. The Cowboys received selections that became Jimmie Jones, Frank Cornish and Arthur Jimerson, while the Patriots received Greg McMurtry, James Gray and another seventh-round asset. Jones became a productive Dallas defensive lineman, and McMurtry supplied meaningful New England receiving production. The lesser selections generated mixed results and additional movement, leaving the direct returns closely balanced.

Dallas acquired the No. 1 pick before the 1991 draft and selected Russell Maryland, sending New England three veterans plus the 11th and 41st selections. Maryland became a Pro Bowl defensive lineman and part of three Cowboys Super Bowl champions. New England received substantial quantity, including long-term starter Pat Harlow, making this a productive deal for both sides.

New England moved from No. 17 to No. 14 in the 1991 first round and selected running back Leonard Russell, while Dallas received No. 17 plus No. 110. The Cowboys immediately rerouted No. 17 through Washington and Detroit, eventually adding Dixon Edwards and other picks. Russell became the 1991 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Both teams generated substantial direct value, making the trade even.

Dallas sent tight end Richard Gicewicz to New England in June 1991 and received the Patriots' 1992 twelfth-round selection. The pick became No. 317, which Dallas used on Don Harris. New England obtained a low-cost veteran option, while Dallas converted a movable player into a draft choice. Neither return became a major franchise piece, but the Cowboys preserved slightly more future value.

Dallas traded linebacker Jesse Solomon to New England in September 1991 for a 1992 sixth-round pick that became No. 149 Fallon Wacasey. New England then moved Solomon to Tampa Bay one day later for a 1992 fifth-round pick, effectively upgrading the draft value it had spent. Dallas received a legitimate future choice, but the Patriots' immediate flip created the better result.

Dallas moved down from No. 13 and came away with the No. 37 pick used on Darren Woodson, another first-round selection, and additional fourth-round value. Woodson became a five-time Pro Bowler and a defensive leader for three championship teams. New England received Eugene Chung and Kevin Turner, but the Cowboys created the defining player and the deeper return.

Dallas acquired quarterback Hugh Millen from New England for a 1994 seventh-round pick that became No. 222, Marty Moore. Draft records place the agreement on April 26, 1993, while the NFL transaction log lists April 28. The Cowboys added veteran quarterback depth, but New England converted the move into a draft asset and receives the slight long-term value edge.

Dallas acquired defensive lineman Artie Smith from New England for past considerations in August 1998. Smith immediately gave the Cowboys a full season of depth, appearing in all 16 games and recording 17 tackles. The exact value of New England's past-considerations return is not identified in the surviving transaction summaries, so it should not be inflated. Dallas gets the modest edge for receiving a season-long contributor while the Patriots' realized compensation remains indistinct.

Dallas Cowboys received 2002 5th round pick (168th overall, Pete Hunter) in the 2002-04-21 exchange with New England Patriots. Pete Hunter became the most meaningful direct player return from the exchange and gave Dallas useful defensive-back snaps after being selected at No. 168. The direct package is the basis for the hindsight grade, with later movement of an acquired selection treated separately. That supports Dallas Cowboys Win.

Dallas moved from No. 27 to No. 24 in the 2010 draft and selected Dez Bryant. Bryant became the franchise's career leader in receiving touchdowns and a three-time Pro Bowler. New England moved down, added a third-round selection and drafted Devin McCourty at No. 27. McCourty became a longtime captain and a core member of three Super Bowl championship teams.

Dallas Cowboys received 2017 6th round pick (216th overall, Marquez White); 2017 7th round pick (239th overall, Noah Brown) in the 2017-04-29 exchange with New England Patriots. Noah Brown developed into a long-running NFL receiver with significant starting work and more than 2,000 career receiving yards, creating the clearest value in Dallas' two-pick return. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Dallas Cowboys surrendered, the result supports Dallas Cowboys Win and a B grade for Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys received Michael Bennett from New England Patriots, giving up 2021 6th round pick (195th overall subsequently traded, Roy Lopez). The conditional late-round return ultimately became 2021 sixth-round selection No. 195. The return supports a C+ grade because the value directly tied to this deal fits that mark. The final verdict is New England Patriots Win.

Dallas got four reserve appearances and 183 passing yards from Joe Milton in 2025 plus five games and three tackles from Jay Toia. New England converted No. 171 into Andy Borregales and another pick that became Julian Ashby and Kobee Minor. Borregales scored a Patriots-rookie-record 134 points, while Ashby handled all 17 regular-season games at long snapper. New England wins, B+ to C.