Dallas and New England swapped three 1990 draft choices…
Dallas and New England swapped three 1990 draft choices apiece. The Cowboys received picks that became Jimmie Jones, Frank Cornish and Arthur Jimerson, while the Patriots received Greg McMurtry, James Gray and Brent Griffith. Jones became a productive Dallas defensive lineman and McMurtry supplied New England receiving value. With useful returns on both sides and several picks quickly moved again, the overall exchange stays close.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1990 third round pick (#64-Jimmie Jones)
- pick 1990 sixth round pick (#143-Frank Cornish)
- pick 1990 eighth round pick (#197-Arthur Jimerson)
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1990 third round pick (#80-Greg McMurtry)
- pick 1990 fifth round pick (#120-James Gray)
- pick 1990 seventh round pick (#166-Brent Griffith)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Dallas and New England used the 1990 draft to reshape clusters of middle- and late-round selections. The Cowboys sent picks No. 80, No. 120 and No. 166 to the Patriots for picks No. 64, No. 143 and No. 197. Dallas effectively moved up for a defensive lineman it valued while also acquiring two later choices that could be used or moved elsewhere.
What Dallas and New England Received
Dallas selected Jimmie Jones at No. 64. The other incoming choices were tied to Frank Cornish at No. 143 and Arthur Jimerson at No. 197, although Dallas soon moved those slots in other transactions. New England selected receiver Greg McMurtry at No. 80, running back James Gray at No. 120 and sent No. 166 onward in a separate deal involving Buffalo.
How the Value Developed
Jones gave Dallas the strongest single direct return, recording 7.5 sacks as a rookie and remaining part of the defensive front through the Cowboys' rise to championship contention. McMurtry gave New England meaningful offensive production, finishing his NFL career with 128 receptions for 1,631 yards, much of it with the Patriots. The other selections became more about draft maneuvering than sustained direct production for either original club.
Final Verdict
There is a case for a slight Dallas edge because Jones became an important contributor on a team entering its championship window. New England, however, received a legitimate multi-year receiver in McMurtry and did not simply lose value in the exchange. Once the subsequent movement of the lesser picks is separated from this original transaction, the gap is small. C grades for both sides and an Even Trade verdict remain reasonable.