New England moved from No. 17 to No. 14 in the 1991 first…
New England moved from No. 17 to No. 14 in the 1991 first round and selected running back Leonard Russell, while Dallas received No. 17 plus No. 110. The Cowboys immediately rerouted No. 17 through Washington and Detroit, eventually adding Dixon Edwards and other picks. Russell became the 1991 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Both teams generated substantial direct value, making the trade even.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1991 first round pick (#17-Bobby Wilson (b. 1968-03-04))
- pick 1991 fourth round pick (#110-Kevin Harris (b))
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1991 first round pick (#14-Leonard Russell)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
New England targeted a running back near the top of the 1991 draft and moved from No. 17 to No. 14, sending Dallas the 110th selection as the added cost. The Patriots selected Leonard Russell. Dallas did not keep No. 17 long enough to select Bobby Wilson; the Cowboys sent that pick to Washington for Nos. 20 and 132, then moved No. 20 again to Detroit for a package of later choices.
What Each Team Received
Russell immediately validated New England's move by rushing for 959 yards in 1991 and winning the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He remained the Patriots' featured runner and later posted a 1,088-yard season in 1993. Dallas' downstream draft movement produced linebacker Dixon Edwards, a substantial contributor during the Cowboys' championship era, along with additional selections. Dallas also retained No. 132 and used it on Darrick Brownlow.
How the Value Developed
The Dallas return requires proportional treatment because No. 17 passed through multiple transactions and additional assets were involved in the later moves. Still, the original New England pick clearly helped the Cowboys build the chain that produced Edwards and other roster pieces. Russell's value is simpler: he was directly selected with New England's acquired No. 14 and supplied three seasons of major rushing production. The two sides created value in very different ways.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. New England earns a B because Russell became an award-winning rookie and a productive Patriots runner. Dallas also earns a B because the acquired draft position became useful trade currency that helped produce meaningful championship-era defenders, led by Edwards. Neither side needs the other's outcome minimized to justify its grade. The exchange worked for both clubs, with New England receiving immediate offensive production and Dallas continuing its successful draft-asset strategy.