Dallas Cowboys received 1972 fourth round pick (#90-Robert…
Dallas Cowboys received 1972 fourth round pick (#90-Robert West) in the exchange with New England Patriots. Dallas used the fourth-round selection on No. 90 Robert West, but West did not create regular-season value comparable to Kiner's immediate contribution in New England. Against New England Patriots' return of Steve Kiner, that result supports a D+ grade. The transaction is judged as New England Patriots Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1972 fourth round pick (#90- Robert West )
New England Patriots Received
- player Steve Kiner
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots completed this transaction on 1971-07-23. Dallas Cowboys received 1972 fourth round pick (#90-Robert West), while New England Patriots received Steve Kiner. Historical records support the core package, so the fairest comparison is the football value each asset actually produced after the exchange.
Dallas Cowboys Return
Dallas used the fourth-round selection on No. 90 Robert West, but West did not create regular-season value comparable to Kiner's immediate contribution in New England. That outcome supports the D+ grade assigned to Dallas Cowboys. The mark credits value traceable to this deal, including playing time, starts, special-teams work, or the downstream use of a draft choice. It stays proportional to the size of the transaction rather than treating every acquired asset as equally important.
New England Patriots Return
Steve Kiner stepped directly into the 1971 Patriots lineup and recorded four interceptions, giving New England a useful starting defensive return from the trade. That outcome supports the B grade assigned to New England Patriots. The same standard applies here: the asset is judged by its realized NFL contribution, not by hypothetical upside that never became part of the return. That keeps the comparison focused on what the club actually received.
Value in Hindsight
Dallas used the fourth-round selection on No. 90 Robert West, but West did not create regular-season value comparable to Kiner's immediate contribution in New England. Steve Kiner stepped directly into the 1971 Patriots lineup and recorded four interceptions, giving New England a useful starting defensive return from the trade. Together, those outcomes explain the grade spread. Useful short-term contribution still matters, but a longer or more productive return deserves the stronger mark. When both sides generated little value, the grades stay close; when the production gap was substantial, the verdict follows that separation.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. Dallas Cowboys receives a D+, while New England Patriots receives a B. The grades reflect the documented exchange and the value that followed from it, with the margin scaled to the actual importance and longevity of the returns.