Seattle traded wide receiver James McKnight to Dallas for a…
Seattle traded wide receiver James McKnight to Dallas for a 2000 third-round pick, which became Darrell Jackson at No. 80. Jackson developed into a major Seahawks receiver, finishing his career with 499 catches, 7,132 yards and 51 touchdowns. McKnight had useful seasons as a receiver but did not approach Jackson’s long-term production, making Seattle’s conversion of a veteran into a premium future pick an excellent result.
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 2000 3rd round pick (80th overall, Darrell Jackson)
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player James McKnight
Trade Analysis
Why Seattle Took the Future Pick
Seattle moved James McKnight before the 1999 season and accepted Dallas’s third-round selection in the following draft. Future picks are often discounted because they delay the return, but the Seahawks were willing to wait. That decision created a valuable 2000 asset while clearing room in a receiver group being reshaped under Mike Holmgren. The quality of the trade ultimately depended on whether Seattle could convert that delayed selection into a meaningful player.
What Darrell Jackson Delivered
Seattle used the 80th overall pick on Florida wide receiver Darrell Jackson. He became an immediate contributor, catching 53 passes for 713 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. His career expanded from there: 499 receptions, 7,132 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns across 123 games. Jackson spent the bulk of his prime with Seattle and became one of the club’s most productive receivers of the era.
What Dallas Received From McKnight
McKnight was not without value. He was an experienced receiver and gave Dallas another veteran option, but his production did not match the long-term asset the Cowboys surrendered. When a future third-rounder becomes a multi-year starting receiver with more than 7,000 career yards, the selling side has to receive significant immediate performance to keep the comparison close. Dallas did not get enough to bridge that gap.
Final Verdict
Seattle Seahawks Win. Seattle earns an A because it turned a veteran receiver into a third-round pick that became Darrell Jackson, a long-term starter with 7,132 career receiving yards and 51 touchdowns. Dallas receives a D because McKnight’s contribution was too limited to justify surrendering that future value. The Seahawks won both the asset conversion and the long-term production comparison.