Dallas acquired the rights to veteran quarterback Eddie…
Dallas acquired the rights to veteran quarterback Eddie LeBaron from Washington for its 1961 first- and sixth-round picks. The first became No. 2 overall quarterback Norm Snead, while the sixth became Joe Krakoski. LeBaron gave the expansion Cowboys needed stability and a 1962 Pro Bowl season, but Washington received premium draft capital and a long-term starting quarterback, producing the stronger overall return.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- other rights to Eddie LeBaron
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1961 first round pick (#2- Norm Snead )
- pick 1961 sixth round pick (#72-Joe Krakoski)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
The expansion Cowboys needed an experienced quarterback badly enough to persuade Eddie LeBaron to leave retirement. Dallas sent Washington its first- and sixth-round choices in the 1961 draft for LeBaron's rights. Dallas' own history describes that two-pick exchange. The separate Ray Krouse-for-Frank Kuchta transaction announced in the same period should not be folded into this deal, so those players are removed from the package here.
Why the Value Tilted
LeBaron gave Dallas something difficult to measure only by wins: competent veteran quarterback play while a new franchise learned how to function. He started 10 games in the winless inaugural season, remained part of the rotation as Don Meredith developed, and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1962. That makes a B appropriate. Dallas paid heavily, but it did receive a credible bridge quarterback rather than a failed stopgap.
How the Outcome Aged
Washington's first-round return became the second overall selection and quarterback Norm Snead. Snead started for Washington for three seasons, reached the Pro Bowl in 1962 and 1963, and was later traded to Philadelphia in the deal that brought Sonny Jurgensen to Washington. The sixth-rounder, Joe Krakoski, added another asset. Even without assigning all of Jurgensen's later accomplishments to this transaction, the No. 2 pick carried substantial realized value.
Final Verdict
Washington earns an A- and the win because it converted a retiring veteran's rights into a premium first-round choice plus a sixth-rounder, then received meaningful production from Snead. Dallas earns a B because LeBaron stabilized the league's newest team and played well enough to make a Pro Bowl. This was useful for both sides, but Washington captured the more durable and transferable football value.