Dallas Cowboys–Seattle Seahawks Trade History

Dallas moved up from No. 14 to No. 2 in the 1977 draft and selected Tony Dorsett, a future Hall of Fame running back who immediately helped a championship team. The Cowboys paid four selections, including two second-rounders, but Dorsett’s star-level production and longevity made the aggressive move an A+ outcome.

Dallas received Seattle’s 1979 fifth-round pick, No. 128, and selected Curtis Anderson. The choice did not produce a return comparable to the four seasons of dependable kicking Seattle obtained from Efren Herrera. The Cowboys retained a legitimate mid-round opportunity, but its limited result leaves Dallas with the weaker side of the exchange and a C grade.

Dallas acquired Seattle's 1979 third-round pick, No. 76, and sixth-round pick, No. 155. The Cowboys used No. 76 on tight end Doug Cosbie, who became a three-time Pro Bowler, played 144 NFL games, and caught 300 passes for 3,728 yards and 30 touchdowns. That long-term production gave Dallas a major return from the draft capital it received.

Seattle sent tackle Ron Essink to Dallas on August 25, 1987, for a fifth-round pick in the 1988 draft. One week later, Essink retired because of an elbow problem without playing a regular-season game for the Cowboys. Seattle retained the future selection as a usable asset, even though the pick later moved again. Receiving meaningful draft currency for a player who never suited up for Dallas makes Seattle the clear winner.

Seattle traded its 1990 ninth-round pick to Dallas on July 25, 1989 for tackle Daryle Smith. Smith did not play a regular-season game for the Seahawks and left their camp before appearing later that season with Cleveland. Dallas retained a real draft asset, which eventually became pick No. 230, Leon Perry, after further movement. The return was small, but Dallas clearly received more usable value.

Dallas received 1998 pick No. 138 from Seattle and used it on offensive lineman Oliver Ross. The Cowboys sent Nos. 162 and 197, which became Carl Hansen and Jason McEndoo. None of the three players became a franchise-level return, but Ross produced the strongest NFL career of the group. Dallas therefore earns a narrow hindsight edge rather than a decisive victory.

Dallas moved from No. 22 to No. 20 in the 1999 first round, sending Seattle the 22nd pick and a fifth-rounder to select defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban. Ekuban became a multi-year Cowboys starter and later played nine NFL seasons. Seattle used the two selections on Lamar King and Floyd Wedderburn, neither of whom produced comparable value. The Cowboys won a modest move-up without paying a damaging premium.

Seattle traded wide receiver James McKnight to Dallas for a 2000 third-round pick, which became Darrell Jackson at No. 80. Jackson developed into a major Seahawks receiver, finishing his career with 499 catches, 7,132 yards and 51 touchdowns. McKnight had useful seasons as a receiver but did not approach Jackson’s long-term production, making Seattle’s conversion of a veteran into a premium future pick an excellent result.

Dallas sent two first-round picks to Seattle for Joey Galloway. Galloway tore his ACL in his first Cowboys game and later supplied several productive seasons, but the price remained far too high. Seattle used the first pick on Shaun Alexander, who became the 2005 NFL MVP and the franchise's all-time rushing leader, while retaining additional first-round value.

Dallas sent first-round picks in consecutive drafts to Seattle for Joey Galloway. Galloway tore his ACL in his first Cowboys game and later supplied several productive seasons, but the price remained excessive. Seattle used the 2000 pick on league MVP Shaun Alexander and retained another premium first-round asset in 2001.

Dallas moved up three spots in the 2008 first round and selected cornerback Mike Jenkins at No. 25, sending Seattle picks 28, 163 and 235. Jenkins became a Pro Bowler in 2009 and started 48 games for Dallas. Seattle used the return on Lawrence Jackson, Owen Schmitt and Brandon Coutu, but none delivered comparable value, turning a modest move-up into a clear Cowboys win.

Seattle sent running back Christine Michael to Dallas for a conditional 2016 seventh-round pick that became No. 225. Michael's Cowboys stay lasted only a few weeks before his release, while Seattle later used the pick as part of a draft-day package that helped acquire selections used on Quinton Jefferson and Kenny Lawler. Jefferson became a useful Seahawks defensive lineman, giving Seattle clear value from a player Dallas barely used.