Dallas received Seattle's 1979 third-round pick at No. 76 and…
Dallas received Seattle's 1979 third-round pick at No. 76 and sixth-round pick at No. 155. The Cowboys used No. 76 on tight end Doug Cosbie, who became a three-time Pro Bowler, played 144 NFL games, and caught 300 passes for 3,728 yards and 30 touchdowns. The hindsight grade is B+, with the overall verdict recorded as Dallas Cowboys Win.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1979 third round pick (#76-Doug Cosbie)
- pick 1979 sixth round pick (#155-Tim Lavender)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Bill Gregory
- pick 1979 third round pick (#82-Joe Montana)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Dallas Cowboys received 1979 third round pick (#76-Doug Cosbie) and 1979 sixth round pick (#155-Tim Lavender), while Seattle Seahawks received Bill Gregory and 1979 third round pick (#82-Joe Montana). The deal is judged by what those assets actually produced after the exchange, including supported downstream draft outcomes.
What Dallas Cowboys Received
Dallas received Seattle's 1979 third-round pick at No. 76 and sixth-round pick at No. 155. The Cowboys used No. 76 on tight end Doug Cosbie, who became a three-time Pro Bowler, played 144 NFL games, and caught 300 passes for 3,728 yards and 30 touchdowns.
What Seattle Seahawks Received
Seattle received defensive end Bill Gregory and the 1979 third-round pick at No. 82. Gregory became a defensive starter for the Seahawks, while Seattle moved the No. 82 selection to San Francisco the same day in the separate Bob Jury trade rather than using it on Joe Montana.
How the Value Developed
Seattle obtained legitimate defensive help and retained trade value in the No. 82 pick, but Dallas produced the most durable direct result. Cosbie became a long-term starter and one of the better tight ends of his era. That comparison focuses on the contribution each acquiring club actually received rather than treating the original draft slot or veteran reputation as value by itself.
Why the Difference Matters
This was a standard-tier transaction, so the grades should reflect the size of the practical football difference without turning a useful role player into a franchise-defining asset. Longevity, starting responsibility, production, and any well-supported downstream pick result all matter. The side with the better combination of those outcomes deserves the stronger grade, while a short or empty return remains near the middle or lower end of the scale.
Final Verdict
Dallas Cowboys receives a B+ and Seattle Seahawks receives a C+. The final call is Dallas Cowboys Win. Seattle obtained legitimate defensive help and retained trade value in the No. 82 pick, but Dallas produced the most durable direct result. Cosbie became a long-term starter and one of the better tight ends of his era.