Dallas traded Craig Morton to New York in October 1974 for…
Dallas traded Craig Morton to New York in October 1974 for the Giants' 1975 first-round pick and 1976 second-rounder. The first became No. 2 overall and produced Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White; the second became Jim Jensen. Morton started for the Giants but won only eight games there before being moved again. White's championship career makes this one of Dallas's clearest historical trade victories.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1975 first-round pick, No. 2 overall, used on Randy White
- pick 1976 second-round pick, No. 40 overall, used on Jim Jensen
New York Giants Received
- player Craig Morton
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
On October 22, 1974, Dallas sent Craig Morton to the Giants for New York's 1975 first-round selection and 1976 second-round selection. The first became the No. 2 overall pick, which Dallas used on defensive tackle Randy White. The second became No. 40 overall and was used on running back Jim Jensen. No additional consideration is needed to describe the completed package.
Why New York Made the Deal
The Giants were searching for a veteran quarterback who could stabilize an offense during a difficult period. Morton had Super Bowl experience and had previously started for Dallas before Roger Staubach won the long-term job. New York paid heavily because proven quarterbacks were scarce and because Morton appeared capable of stepping into the lineup immediately.
What Dallas Received
The Cowboys turned the premium first into White, one of the greatest players in franchise history. He became a nine-time first-team All-Pro, a ten-time Pro Bowler, a Hall of Famer and co-MVP of Super Bowl XII. Jensen contributed little, but the first-round outcome alone was enough to make the return extraordinary.
How the Value Developed
Morton started 25 games for New York and went 8-17 before the Giants traded him to Denver in 1977. He later revived his career with the Broncos, but that success did not benefit New York. Dallas, meanwhile, built its defense around White for more than a decade and received championship-level production from the central asset acquired in the trade.
Final Verdict
Dallas wins by an overwhelming margin. The Giants made an understandable attempt to solve quarterback, but Morton did not provide enough success in New York to justify two premium choices. The No. 2 pick becoming Randy White transformed a costly quarterback acquisition into a franchise-defining Cowboys victory.
White's Hall of Fame career transformed Dallas's premium-pick return.