Dallas acquired Terrence Flagler and Daniel Stubbs from San…
Dallas acquired Terrence Flagler and Daniel Stubbs from San Francisco before the 1990 draft, while the 49ers received picks No. 47 and No. 68 and returned picks No. 81 and No. 304. San Francisco turned the premium selections into Dennis Brown and Ron Lewis. Brown became a long-term defensive contributor, while Dallas got a shorter burst of value, giving the 49ers the stronger result.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Terrence Flagler
- player Daniel Stubbs / Danny Stubbs
- pick 1990 third round pick (#81-Craig Veasey)
- pick 1990 eleventh round pick (#304-Myron Jones)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1990 second round pick (#47-Dennis Brown)
- pick 1990 third round pick (#68-Ron Lewis (Alexander))
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Dallas was rebuilding its roster under Jimmy Johnson and wanted players who could step into larger roles immediately. San Francisco, coming off a championship, could afford to move reserves Terrence Flagler and Daniel Stubbs in exchange for better draft position. The Cowboys sent picks No. 47 and No. 68, while the 49ers also returned picks No. 81 and No. 304 to complete the package.
What Dallas and San Francisco Received
Dallas obtained Flagler, Stubbs, third-round pick No. 81 and eleventh-round pick No. 304. San Francisco received second-round pick No. 47 and third-round pick No. 68, selecting defensive lineman Dennis Brown and receiver Ron Lewis. Stubbs was the most productive immediate Dallas piece, recording a strong 1990 season as the Cowboys searched for veterans who could stabilize a young roster.
How the Value Developed
The 49ers' advantage came from Brown. He remained with San Francisco for years and developed into a dependable defensive lineman, finishing his career with 24.5 sacks. Lewis had a much smaller receiving career, but Brown gave the 49ers a durable return from the higher draft slot. Dallas did get useful short-term work from Stubbs, yet neither the players nor the returned draft choices generated comparable long-term impact.
Final Verdict
Dallas had a sensible short-term motive and did not come away empty-handed. Still, San Francisco converted two premium selections into a long-serving defender and another NFL contributor while surrendering players it viewed as replaceable. The 49ers' ability to turn roster surplus into extended value creates the separation. San Francisco receives a B, Dallas a D+, and the San Francisco 49ers Win verdict remains the best description of the outcome.