Dallas moved from No. 25 to No. 22 in 1997 for tight end…
Dallas moved from No. 25 to No. 22 in 1997 for tight end David LaFleur, sending Philadelphia the lower first-rounder, a fifth-round pick and a 1998 third-rounder. LaFleur became a four-year Cowboys starter but produced modest receiving totals. Philadelphia missed on Jon Harris, yet later converted the future third-rounder into Allen Rossum and Clarence Love, giving the Eagles a slight overall edge.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1997 1st round pick (22nd overall, David LaFleur)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 1997 1st round pick (25th overall, Jon Harris)
- pick 1997 5th round pick (155th overall, Luther Broughton)
- pick 1998 3rd round pick (70th overall; subsequently traded to New York Giants)
Trade Analysis
Why Dallas Moved Up
On April 19, 1997, Dallas moved from No. 25 to No. 22 in a trade with Philadelphia. The Cowboys also surrendered a fifth-round choice and a 1998 third-round pick. Dallas used No. 22 on tight end David LaFleur, while Philadelphia took defensive end Jon Harris at No. 25 and tight end Luther Broughton at No. 155. The future third-rounder later became another movable asset for the Eagles.
What Dallas Received From LaFleur
LaFleur spent four seasons with the Cowboys and played 60 games. He caught 85 passes for 729 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those totals are respectable, particularly the touchdown production, but they are light for a player acquired by trading up in the first round. Injuries shortened his career after the 2000 season. Dallas did get a regular contributor, so this was not an empty return, but LaFleur never became the high-end receiving tight end the investment suggested.
How Philadelphia Recovered From a Miss
Jon Harris was a major disappointment, playing only 24 NFL games. Luther Broughton had a longer career but was mostly a reserve. The important third piece was the 1998 third-rounder, No. 70. Philadelphia traded that pick to the Giants for No. 85 and No. 116, selecting Allen Rossum and Clarence Love. Rossum became a 157-game NFL player and Pro Bowl return specialist, although much of that later success came after leaving Philadelphia. The Eagles at least converted the future asset into multiple players and extra roster value.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win, narrowly. The Eagles earn a B because the volume of assets and the later conversion of No. 70 partially overcame the Harris miss. Dallas receives a C+ because LaFleur contributed for four seasons but never delivered first-round-level impact. Neither side maximized the opportunity, yet Philadelphia extracted slightly more total value from moving down.