Detroit acquired the 56th pick from Dallas during the 1992…
Detroit acquired the 56th pick from Dallas during the 1992 draft and selected kicker Jason Hanson. The Cowboys received Nos. 82, 109 and 250, using them on James Brown, Tom Myslinski and Chris Hall. Dallas created three chances, but none matched Hanson's extraordinary 21-season Detroit career. Because Hanson spent his entire career with the Lions, this is a direct and overwhelming team-specific win.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1992 third round pick (#82-James Brown (Lamont))
- pick 1992 fourth round pick (#109-Tom Myslinski)
- pick 1992 ninth round pick (#250-Chris Hall)
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1992 second round pick (#56-Jason Hanson)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Dallas obtained No. 56 in its earlier trade with Washington and immediately moved the selection again, this time to Detroit for Nos. 82, 109 and 250. The Cowboys preferred three bites at the draft to one second-round selection. Detroit had a specific target and used No. 56 on Washington State kicker Jason Hanson. The trade therefore became a clean test of Dallas' quantity strategy against Detroit's confidence in one specialist.
What Each Team Received
Detroit could scarcely have done better. Hanson spent 21 seasons with the Lions, appeared in 327 games, made 495 field goals and earned two Pro Bowl selections. His entire NFL career belongs to Detroit, so there is no franchise-allocation complication when measuring his value here. Dallas used its three incoming picks on James Brown, Tom Myslinski and Chris Hall, but none produced a comparable long-term role for the Cowboys.
How the Value Developed
The fact that Hanson was a kicker does not reduce the magnitude of the result. A second-round specialist who becomes a two-decade franchise fixture provides enormous certainty and roster value. Dallas' decision to accumulate picks was consistent with its broader draft philosophy, but this particular branch did not produce an important Cowboys player. Detroit exchanged three later selections for one choice and converted it into one of the most durable players in franchise history.
Final Verdict
Detroit Lions Win. Detroit earns an A+ because the acquired pick became a 21-season Lion and one of the NFL's most enduring kickers. Dallas earns a D because three selections created very little team-specific return. The Cowboys' process was defensible, yet the realized outcomes are not close: Hanson alone supplied vastly more value than the combined Dallas haul from this transaction.