St. Louis acquired John Wilbur from Dallas for a 1971…
St. Louis acquired John Wilbur from Dallas for a 1971 third-round pick. Wilbur did not provide the Cardinals with the intended on-field return, leaving St. Louis with little realized value from the player side of the deal. Dallas used the incoming selection on Sam Scarber, who was not a major contributor, but the Cowboys still converted Wilbur into a defined third-round asset.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player John Wilbur
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1971 third round pick (#69-Sam Scarber)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Dallas traded guard John Wilbur to St. Louis for the 1971 third-round selection used on Sam Scarber. Wilbur threatened retirement and was quickly moved by the Cardinals to the Rams. The original transaction matters because later pick movement can blur what each club actually received. This version keeps the identified assets attached to the correct side.
What St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals Received
St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals came away with John Wilbur. St. Louis never received the intended on-field benefit from Wilbur, while Dallas at least banked a third-round asset. Scarber did not become a major Cowboys contributor, keeping the win meaningful but short of a premium grade. The grade reflects both the quality of that return and how directly it benefited the franchise.
What Dallas Cowboys Received
Dallas Cowboys received 1971 third round pick (#69-Sam Scarber). The comparison is not based only on the apparent value of the package on trade day. It weighs what those assets became, how long the player contribution lasted, whether a draft choice produced usable service, and whether either side quickly moved on without meaningful return.
How the Value Aged
St. Louis never received the intended on-field benefit from Wilbur, while Dallas at least banked a third-round asset. Scarber did not become a major Cowboys contributor, keeping the win meaningful but short of a premium grade. That is the key separator in the hindsight grade. The transaction can still have made sense for both clubs at the time, especially when veterans, roster needs and future choices were valued differently than they are today. The verdict instead measures the football value each franchise ultimately captured from the assets received in this specific exchange.
Final Verdict
The best hindsight result is Dallas Cowboys Win. St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals earns a C and Dallas Cowboys earns a B. Keeps Dallas as the winner but tempers the grade because the acquired pick did not become a major Cowboys contributor. The grade spread stays proportional to the actual impact: a clear but modest advantage remains modest, while a long-term starter or star compared with little return creates a wider separation.