Dallas acquired defensive lineman John Dutton for its first-…
Dallas acquired defensive lineman John Dutton for its first- and second-round picks in 1980. Dutton became a long-term piece of the Cowboys defense and remained with the club through 1987, giving Dallas years of starting value from an established player. That sustained contribution outweighed the two draft choices Baltimore ultimately used on Derrick Hatchett and Tim Foley.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player John Dutton (Owen)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1980 first round pick (#24-Derrick Hatchett)
- pick 1980 second round pick (#51-Tim Foley (John))
Trade Analysis
Dallas paid a premium price in October 1979 because John Dutton was already an established defensive lineman and the Cowboys believed he could help immediately. The Colts received Dallas’s first- and second-round picks in the 1980 draft, eventually using No. 24 on defensive back Derrick Hatchett and No. 51 on quarterback Tim Foley.
Dutton justified much of the investment. He joined a strong Dallas defense and remained a Cowboy through the 1987 season. His value was not based on one short playoff push; he became a durable part of the defensive front across multiple seasons. Dallas had traded away two premium selections, but it converted them into an experienced starter who stayed productive long enough to make the cost defensible.
Baltimore did receive a useful player with the first-rounder. Hatchett played 49 NFL games, started 44 and recorded seven interceptions. That is real first-round value and prevents the Colts from receiving a poor grade. The second-round pick did not have the same impact. Foley appeared in only a handful of NFL games and did not become a meaningful long-term quarterback answer.
The trade therefore favors Dallas without becoming a total collapse for Baltimore. The Cowboys receive an A- for acquiring a proven defensive lineman who provided many seasons of service. The Colts receive a C+ because Hatchett became a legitimate starter, but the second pick added little and the combined package fell short of Dutton’s long Dallas tenure. Dallas also avoided the uncertainty that comes with using two draft choices, converting that capital immediately into a player whose established NFL quality was already known.