Dallas Cowboys received 2004 7th round pick (205th overall,…
Dallas Cowboys received 2004 7th round pick (205th overall, Nate Jones); 2004 7th round pick (223rd overall, Jacques Reeves) in the 2004-04-25 exchange with Las Vegas Raiders. Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves both became durable defensive and special-teams contributors. Reeves in particular logged extensive NFL playing time, giving Dallas a strong return from two seventh-round selections. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Dallas Cowboys surrendered, the result supports Dallas Cowboys Win and a B grade for Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 2004 7th round pick (205th overall, Nate Jones )
- pick 2004 7th round pick (223rd overall, Jacques Reeves )
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 2004 6th round pick (182nd overall, Cody Spencer )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2004-04-25, Dallas Cowboys received 2004 7th round pick (205th overall, Nate Jones); 2004 7th round pick (223rd overall, Jacques Reeves), while Las Vegas Raiders received 2004 6th round pick (182nd overall, Cody Spencer). The comparison is limited to the consideration controlled directly after the transaction. Later trades involving an acquired pick or player are separate moves, so they are used only to explain provenance when necessary and are not treated as extra compensation here.
Dallas Cowboys Return
Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves both became durable defensive and special-teams contributors. Reeves in particular logged extensive NFL playing time, giving Dallas a strong return from two seventh-round selections. The key question is how much useful football value the incoming side actually created through starts, playing time, production, roster longevity, or retained draft capital. That practical return is weighed against what Dallas Cowboys gave up, with the scale of this transaction kept in proportion.
Las Vegas Raiders Return
Cody Spencer had an NFL career as a reserve linebacker, but his impact and longevity did not equal the combined value Dallas extracted from Jones and Reeves. The same standard applies to Las Vegas Raiders. A larger number of pieces does not automatically mean a better trade; the quality and durability of the return matter more than raw asset count. That keeps the evaluation centered on realized value rather than on the appearance of the package at the moment of the deal.
Value in Hindsight
Oakland received No.182 Cody Spencer while Dallas received Nos.205 Nate Jones and 223 Jacques Reeves. Reeves alone played 90 NFL games, and Jones also became a long-term defensive/special-teams contributor. Dallas generated substantially more realized value from the two seventh-round picks. The direct exchange is sufficiently documented to make a firm hindsight judgment. The grades reflect the difference between what each side received and what those assets ultimately became for the clubs, while avoiding credit for unrelated transactions that occurred later.
Final Verdict
Dallas Cowboys receives a B and Las Vegas Raiders receives a C-. The verdict is Dallas Cowboys Win. This result reflects the direct package, the value each team actually realized, and the modest or substantial separation created by those outcomes.