Dallas Cowboys–Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trade History

On 1976-07-26, Dallas Cowboys received draft pick (selection not identified), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received David Grannell / Dave Grannell. The final verdict is Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win, with Dallas Cowboys graded C- and Tampa Bay Buccaneers graded C+. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Both sides have identifiable consideration, allowing the hindsight grade to focus on what those assets actually became.

On 1976-08-03, Dallas Cowboys received conditional draft choice (not exercised), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received Warren Capone. The hindsight verdict is Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win, with Dallas Cowboys graded C- and Tampa Bay Buccaneers graded C+. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

Dallas received the 1981 seventh-round choice used on Ron Fellows and the 1982 fourth-round choice used on Brian Carpenter. Fellows became a multi-year Cowboys starter and interception producer, giving Dallas the best long-term asset in the exchange. The A- grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win.

Dallas Cowboys received 1982 eleventh round pick (#295-George Thompson) from Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sending Aaron Mitchell the other way. Mitchell supplied the Buccaneers with actual defensive-back service, while Thompson did not generate meaningful NFL return for Dallas, so Tampa Bay holds the clearer if still modest advantage. That outcome supports a C- grade for Dallas Cowboys, and the overall verdict is Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win.

Dallas Cowboys received 1984 fifth round pick (#113-Steve Pelluer) in the exchange with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fifth-round choice became Steve Pelluer, who developed into a multi-season Dallas quarterback and produced the stronger realized return. Against the other side's return of Danny Spradlin, that outcome supports a B+ grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as Dallas Cowboys Win, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

Dallas sent Garry Lewis to Tampa Bay, and the compensation ultimately became an exchange of final-round 1993 selections after the draft was reduced to eight rounds. Dallas received No. 203 and selected Dave Thomas; Tampa Bay received No. 224 and selected Daron Alcorn while also holding Lewis. None became a major long-term piece. Dallas receives a narrow advantage because Thomas provided the strongest realized value among the exchanged assets.

Tampa Bay acquired safety Thomas Everett from Dallas on April 5, 1994, for the 109th pick in that year's draft. Everett gave the Buccaneers two seasons of veteran secondary play and started 10 games in 1995. Dallas used No. 109 on receiver Willie Jackson, but he did not become a meaningful long-term Cowboys contributor. Tampa Bay's direct on-field return gives it the edge.

Tampa Bay sent Dallas the 41st and 63rd picks in the 1995 draft to acquire No. 28, where the Buccaneers selected linebacker Derrick Brooks. Dallas later moved No. 41 and used the resulting capital on additional players, but nothing in the Cowboys’ return approached Brooks’ impact. Brooks became an 11-time Pro Bowler, Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer. Acquiring a franchise legend for two second-round picks makes Tampa Bay the decisive winner.

Dallas Cowboys received a conditional 2005 pick (not conveyed). Dallas' return was conditional on a future 2005 draft choice. Those receiving-team outcomes support a D- grade. Tampa Bay Buccaneers held the counterparty return, and the transaction-level verdict is Even Trade. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Tampa Bay and Dallas swapped veteran receivers in March 2004, with Joey Galloway joining the Buccaneers and Keyshawn Johnson reuniting with Bill Parcells in Dallas. Johnson gave the Cowboys two productive seasons, so Dallas received legitimate value. Galloway, however, stayed in Tampa for five years and delivered three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2005 through 2007. His longer, more explosive run makes the Buccaneers the winner.

Tampa Bay moved up 10 spots in the seventh round of the 2004 draft, sending fullback Darian Barnes and pick No. 216 to Dallas for No. 206. The Buccaneers selected Mark Jones, who did not make their initial roster and later returned as a return specialist. Dallas selected Patrick Crayton, who became a productive six-year Cowboys receiver, making the Cowboys the clear winner of a low-cost draft-day exchange.

Tampa Bay moved from No. 120 to No. 117 for defensive end Kyle Moore, sending Dallas a seventh-round pick as the premium. Moore appeared in 15 games for the Buccaneers and started seven in 2010. Dallas selected Brandon Williams and Manuel Johnson; neither became a meaningful Cowboys contributor. The return was modest on both sides, but Tampa received more actual playing value from the player it targeted.