The 1990 Emmitt Smith Trade: Dallas Moved Four Spots and Found a Dynasty Centerpiece
Dallas moved from No. 21 to No. 17 for Emmitt Smith, sending Pittsburgh an extra third-round pick. The Steelers found a Pro Bowl tight end in Eric Green, but Smith became an all-time great.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1990 first round pick (#17-Emmitt Smith)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1990 first round pick (#21-(Bernard) Eric Green)
- pick 1990 third round pick (#81-Craig Veasey)
Trade Summary
Dallas moved from No. 21 to No. 17 and selected Emmitt Smith, who became the NFL's all-time leading rusher and the offensive engine of a three-title dynasty. Pittsburgh received Eric Green and Craig Veasey; Green became a two-time Pro Bowler. Dallas won overwhelmingly, but the Steelers' former F grade ignored a legitimate high-level player.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Dallas moved from No. 21 to No. 17 in the first round of the 1990 draft and sent Pittsburgh an additional third-round pick. The Cowboys selected running back Emmitt Smith. Pittsburgh used No. 21 on tight end Eric Green and the third-round selection on defensive lineman Craig Veasey.
Why Dallas Moved Up
The Cowboys had accumulated draft capital and needed a feature back to complete a young offensive core built around Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. Team history credits Dallas personnel staff with identifying the risk that other clubs could take Smith before pick No. 21, prompting the move up four spots.
What Pittsburgh Received
The Steelers did not whiff. Green became a high-level tight end and earned Pro Bowl honors in his final two seasons with Pittsburgh. That is meaningful first-round value and makes the deal more nuanced than an A-plus-versus-F caricature. Veasey also gave Pittsburgh additional defensive-line depth.
Why Smith Overwhelmed the Comparison
Smith became the NFL's all-time leading rusher and rushing-touchdown leader. He won three Super Bowls with Dallas, earned league MVP honors in 1993 and was Super Bowl XXVIII MVP. The Cowboys traded one extra third-round pick for access to a player who became a central piece of one of the league's defining dynasties.
The Long-Term Legacy
This is the rare trade in which the losing team can make a good selection and still lose badly. Pittsburgh received a Pro Bowl player. Dallas received one of the most productive running backs in NFL history.
Final Verdict
The Dallas Cowboys Win verdict is overwhelming, while Pittsburgh's side still deserves credit. Green was a successful first-round pick; Smith simply created a level of franchise and league-wide value that no reasonable Steelers return could match.