Miami moved from No. 56 to No. 52 in the 2001 second round…
Miami moved from No. 56 to No. 52 in the 2001 second round and drafted wide receiver Chris Chambers, sending Dallas Nos. 56 and 122. Chambers played 153 career games, caught 540 passes for 7,648 yards and 58 touchdowns, and made a Pro Bowl. Dallas selected defensive back Tony Dixon and linebacker Markus Steele, both useful contributors, but neither approached Chambers’ sustained offensive production or peak value.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 2001 2nd round pick (56th overall, Tony Dixon)
- pick 2001 4th round pick (122nd overall, Markus Steele)
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 2001 2nd round pick (52nd overall, Chris Chambers )
Trade Analysis
Why Miami Moved Four Spots
Miami identified Chris Chambers as a receiver worth securing and paid Dallas a fourth-round selection to climb from No. 56 to No. 52. The move was modest in distance but meaningful in result. Chambers immediately became part of the Dolphins’ passing game and developed into a long-term NFL starter. When a small move-up produces a player who remains productive for a decade, the extra pick becomes much easier to justify in hindsight.
What Dallas Received for Moving Down
The Cowboys did not come away empty. Dallas used No. 56 on defensive back Tony Dixon, who played 56 career games and recorded six sacks, and No. 122 on linebacker Markus Steele, who appeared in 42 games. Those are legitimate roster contributions from two selections. The trade-down therefore produced depth and playing time rather than a complete miss, which keeps Dallas above a failing grade.
How Chambers Separated the Returns
Chambers became the defining player in the exchange. He finished his career with 540 receptions, 7,648 receiving yards and 58 touchdowns in 153 games, and he earned a Pro Bowl selection. Dallas’s two players combined for useful service, but neither became a comparable difference-maker. Miami converted one premium choice into sustained production at a high-value offensive position.
Final Verdict
Miami Dolphins Win. Miami earns an A because Chambers delivered both longevity and top-end production after a relatively inexpensive move up. Dallas receives a C+ because Dixon and Steele supplied real snaps and depth, but the combined return never matched the receiver Miami secured at No. 52.