Dallas moved from No. 18 to No. 20 in the 1986 first round…
Dallas moved from No. 18 to No. 20 in the 1986 first round and selected Mike Sherrard, while San Francisco received No. 20 plus No. 131. Sherrard had a strong 744-yard rookie season before repeated leg injuries erased his remaining Dallas production. San Francisco repeatedly flipped the acquired draft capital, eventually helping produce Tom Rathman, Charles Haley and Steve Wallace, creating a dramatically stronger long-term return.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1986 first round pick (#18-Mike Sherrard)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1986 first round pick (#20-Will Wolford)
- pick 1986 fifth round pick (#131-Pat Miller)
Trade Analysis
Why Dallas Moved Up
Dallas traded No. 20 and No. 131 to San Francisco for No. 18 in the 1986 draft, then selected receiver Mike Sherrard. As a rookie, Sherrard looked like a successful target, catching 41 passes for 744 yards and five touchdowns. Severe leg injuries then changed the outcome, and he never played another regular-season game for Dallas.
What San Francisco Did With No. 20
The 49ers did not select Will Wolford. They traded No. 20, plus a future tenth-round pick, to Buffalo for No. 29 and No. 56. San Francisco used No. 56 on fullback Tom Rathman, who became an important part of championship teams. The club then moved No. 29 to Detroit for No. 39 and No. 71.
How the Chain Multiplied
No. 39 became defensive end Larry Roberts, a useful 49ers contributor. San Francisco then sent No. 71 to the Rams in a deal that returned quarterback Jeff Kemp and picks No. 96 and No. 101. Those selections became Charles Haley and Steve Wallace. Haley became a Hall of Fame pass rusher and five-time Super Bowl champion; Wallace became a long-time starting tackle and three-time champion. That downstream chain is extraordinary value from the slot Dallas surrendered.
What Dallas Received
Sherrard's rookie year was genuinely good, so Dallas did not make an irrational move. The problem is realized value: injuries prevented the Cowboys from receiving anything after 1986 from their first-round target.
Final Verdict
San Francisco earns an A+ and Dallas a C-. The 49ers' repeated conversion of the acquired capital helped produce multiple championship contributors, including Haley and Wallace, while Dallas received one productive Sherrard season. The long-term separation makes this a clear San Francisco 49ers Win.