The 1992 Cowboys-Patriots Draft Trade: Dallas Moved Down and Found Darren Woodson
New England climbed from No. 19 to No. 13, while Dallas added the second-round pick that became Darren Woodson and built the stronger long-term return.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1992 first round pick (#19-Tony Smith (Derrell))
- pick 1992 second round pick (#37-Darren Woodson)
- pick 1992 fourth round pick (#104-Frankie Smith)
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1992 first round pick (#13-Eugene Chung)
- pick 1992 third round pick (#71-Kevin Turner)
Trade Summary
Dallas moved down from No. 13 and came away with the No. 37 pick used on Darren Woodson, another first-round selection, and additional fourth-round value. Woodson became a five-time Pro Bowler and a defensive leader for three championship teams. New England received Eugene Chung and Kevin Turner, but the Cowboys created the defining player and the deeper return.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
New England moved up in the 1992 draft, sending Dallas picks No. 19, No. 37 and No. 104 for picks No. 13 and No. 71. The Patriots used the higher first-round selection on guard Eugene Chung and the third-rounder on Kevin Turner. Dallas used its incoming selections on Tony Smith, Darren Woodson and Frankie Smith.
Why the Second-Round Pick Changed Everything
This trade is remembered because of Woodson. Dallas selected him 37th overall out of Arizona State and developed him into one of the defining defenders of the franchise's 1990s championship teams. He became a five-time Pro Bowler, earned multiple first-team All-Pro selections and played on three Super Bowl champions. His longevity mattered just as much as his peak: Woodson became the Cowboys' career leader in tackles.
That kind of result is exactly what makes a trade-down strategy powerful. Dallas accepted a lower first-round position but bought two additional opportunities, and the most important of those extra opportunities became a franchise cornerstone.
What New England Received
The Patriots were not trading for an empty roster spot. Chung became a multi-year starter on the offensive line, and Turner had a productive NFL career as a fullback. New England's move therefore had a defensible football purpose: identify a preferred player and use surplus selections to secure him.
The gap appears in the ceiling and duration of the return. Neither Patriots selection approached Woodson's decade-plus impact, honors or championship role.
Why the Dallas Grade Is So Strong
Draft trades should be judged by both the cost of moving and what each club actually realized. Dallas moved down six spots, kept a first-round selection and gained the pick that produced the best player in the transaction by a wide margin.
Final Verdict
Dallas wins decisively. New England received useful players, but the Cowboys turned the trade-down into Darren Woodson, a foundational defender whose career value overwhelmed the rest of the exchange.