Washington moved up from No. 20 to No. 17 in the 1991 first…
Washington moved up from No. 20 to No. 17 in the 1991 first round and selected defensive tackle Bobby Wilson, sending Dallas No. 20 and fifth-round pick No. 132. Wilson gave Washington useful starting and rotational work, but Dallas immediately turned the 20th selection into another trade that helped produce Dixon Edwards and additional draft capital.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1991 first round pick (#20-Kelvin Pritchett)
- pick 1991 fifth round pick (#132-Darrick Brownlow)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1991 first round pick (#17-Bobby Wilson (b. 1968-03-04))
Trade Analysis
Washington's move up three spots was not a reckless gamble. Bobby Wilson played 42 games for the club, started 24 and produced 11 sacks, giving Washington useful interior defensive-line work. He also arrived in time for the 1991 championship season, so the first-round choice cannot be treated as wasted capital. A B-range grade better reflects that Wilson contributed legitimate NFL snaps and some pass rush.
Dallas won the transaction because it treated the acquired No. 20 selection as another movable asset in the roster-building machine of the early 1990s. Rather than simply selecting Kelvin Pritchett, the Cowboys traded his rights to Detroit and received picks that produced Dixon Edwards, James Richards and Tony Hill. Edwards became the meaningful return: he played 74 games for Dallas, started 47 and was part of three Super Bowl championship teams. Dallas also retained the 132nd pick from Washington, which became Darrick Brownlow, a reserve and special-teams contributor during portions of his career.
The comparison is therefore not Wilson versus Pritchett. Washington received Wilson; Dallas received the ability to move No. 20 again plus another selection. Wilson's solid career keeps this from being a lopsided result, but Dallas's conversion of the premium pick into Edwards and additional capital fit a broader pattern of extracting value through repeated draft-day movement. Washington got the player it wanted and received useful service. Dallas got more optionality and turned the centerpiece into a contributor who remained part of a championship core. That gives the Cowboys the edge. The fifth-rounder also gave Dallas another inexpensive roster chance beyond the premium asset it continued to move.