Dallas sent defensive lineman Tody Smith and receiver Billy…
Dallas sent defensive lineman Tody Smith and receiver Billy Parks to Houston in 1973 for the Oilers' 1974 first- and third-round picks. Houston's collapse made the first-rounder No. 1 overall, which Dallas used on Ed “Too Tall” Jones; the third-rounder became quarterback Danny White at No. 53. The Cowboys landed two franchise fixtures from one deal, while the Oilers received only short-term veteran production.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1974 first round pick (#1-Ed "Too Tall" Jones)
- pick 1974 third round pick (#53-Danny White)
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Tody Smith
- player Billy Parks
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Dallas traded Tody Smith and Billy Parks to the Houston Oilers in May 1973 for Houston's first- and third-round picks in the 1974 draft. The Cowboys did not receive Parks; he was one of the two players they sent. Houston then finished 1-13, turning the first-round asset into the No. 1 overall selection.
Why the Picks Became Franchise-Changing
Dallas used No. 1 on Ed “Too Tall” Jones and No. 53 on Danny White. Jones played 15 seasons for the Cowboys, appeared in 224 regular-season games, earned multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, and became one of the franchise's defining defensive linemen. White eventually succeeded Roger Staubach, finished 62-30 as a starter, and threw for nearly 22,000 yards.
What Houston Received
The Oilers did get usable veterans. Smith started regularly and recorded productive pass-rush seasons in Houston, while Parks provided receiving work. That keeps the return from being literally worthless. The problem is that neither player delivered the longevity or high-end impact of the two players Dallas selected with the surrendered picks.
Why This Became a Landmark Trade
The Oilers could not know that their 1974 first-rounder would become No. 1 overall, but draft-position uncertainty is part of trading future picks. Dallas accepted that risk and hit twice. Turning two non-star veterans into a cornerstone defensive lineman and a long-term starting quarterback created extraordinary surplus value.
Final Verdict
Dallas earns an A+ and one of the clearest wins in franchise history. Houston receives a D- because Smith and Parks at least played meaningful snaps, but their combined value was nowhere near Jones and White. The corrected asset direction makes the scale of the Cowboys' victory unmistakable.