Dallas Cowboys–San Francisco 49ers Trade History

Dallas Cowboys received Gene Babb, while San Francisco 49ers received 1961 fifth round pick (#58-Clark Miller). Dallas acquired Gene Babb and San Francisco received the 1961 fifth-round choice used at No. 58 on Clark Miller. The exact 1960 date is less settled, but Babb contributed in Dallas and Miller became the stronger long-term 49ers return. Dallas Cowboys earns a C+ grade, and the overall verdict is San Francisco 49ers Win.

Dallas Cowboys received Bill Herchman in the exchange with San Francisco 49ers. Herchman gave Dallas two useful seasons at defensive tackle, including 18 starts, so the Cowboys received legitimate on-field value. The supported hindsight grade is C+. That mark reflects realized value tied directly to this transaction, with the overall result recorded as Even Trade.

San Francisco and Dallas completed the Mike Dowdle-for-Jim Ridlon swap on April 30, 1963. Both players helped their new clubs: Dowdle became a multi-year 49ers linebacker starter, while Ridlon delivered two Dallas seasons highlighted by four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns in 1964. San Francisco gets the narrow edge, B-plus to B.

San Francisco sent veteran J.D. Smith to Dallas on September 6, 1965 for the Cowboys' 1966 fifth-round selection, No. 69, later used on defensive back Mel Phillips. The transaction was separate from the same-day Leon Donohue deal. Dallas added an experienced player while the 49ers converted Smith into a draft asset. Neither return created enough separation to justify a strong win for either club.

Dallas Cowboys received 1969 third round pick (#68-Tom Stincic). Dallas used the acquired third-round choice on Tom Stincic and received the stronger long-term value from the transaction relative to San Francisco's return. That result supports a B grade for Dallas Cowboys. The final verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win, based on the documented service, durability, and value each club actually obtained from this exchange.

Dallas Cowboys received 1976 third round pick (#73-Duke Ferguson) in the deal with San Francisco 49ers. The third-round choice became Duke Ferguson, but he did not become a Dallas regular-season contributor. That result supports a D for Dallas Cowboys. The San Francisco 49ers Win verdict weighs the documented service and usable draft value each side actually realized from the exchange.

Dallas Cowboys received 1981 fourth round pick (#91-Scott Pelluer) from San Francisco 49ers, sending Thomas Henderson the other way. The realized team value therefore points clearly toward the Cowboys rather than the current 49ers verdict. That outcome supports a B- grade for Dallas Cowboys, and the overall verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win.

Dallas moved from No. 18 to No. 20 in the 1986 first round and selected Mike Sherrard, while San Francisco received No. 20 plus No. 131. Sherrard had a strong 744-yard rookie season before repeated leg injuries erased his remaining Dallas production. San Francisco repeatedly flipped the acquired draft capital, eventually helping produce Tom Rathman, Charles Haley and Steve Wallace, creating a dramatically stronger long-term return.

Dallas acquired Terrence Flagler and Daniel Stubbs from San Francisco before the 1990 draft, while the 49ers received picks No. 47 and No. 68 and returned picks No. 81 and No. 304. San Francisco turned the premium selections into Dennis Brown and Ron Lewis. Brown became a long-term defensive contributor, while Dallas got a shorter burst of value, giving the 49ers the stronger result.

Dallas acquired Charles Haley for two mid-round picks and added the pass-rushing force its young defense needed. Haley became a central piece of three Cowboys championship teams. San Francisco received Vincent Brisby and additional pick value, providing some production, but the 49ers strengthened their primary NFC rival at the worst possible time.

Dallas moved up from No. 28 to No. 23 and selected Shante Carver, while also receiving the later No. 217 selection. Carver did not become a long-term impact player for Dallas, so the value gained from moving up fell short of what San Francisco ultimately realized from the picks it received. That outcome supports a C grade for Dallas Cowboys within the final San Francisco 49ers Win verdict.

San Francisco moved up from No. 31 to No. 18 for safety Eric Reid, who became an immediate starter and Pro Bowler, so the 49ers received substantial value. Dallas still won the exchange by turning the return into center Travis Frederick and receiver Terrance Williams. Frederick became a five-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro, while Williams added years of starting-caliber production. Both sides succeeded, but Dallas gained more.

San Francisco sent 2015 seventh-round No. 246 to Dallas for the Cowboys' 2016 sixth-round pick, No. 178. Dallas used No. 246 on tight end Geoff Swaim, who developed into a multi-year NFL contributor, while San Francisco later moved No. 178 and did not realize comparable direct player value. Dallas owns the stronger hindsight return.

Dallas sent a 2024 fourth-round pick to San Francisco for Trey Lance, hoping the former No. 3 selection could develop behind Dak Prescott. Lance attempted only 41 regular-season passes for Dallas before leaving, while San Francisco used pick No. 124 on safety Malik Mustapha. Mustapha has started 22 games, recorded 148 tackles and intercepted two passes through two seasons. The 49ers converted a discarded quarterback into a starting defender and won decisively.