Dallas Cowboys received 2007 1st round pick (26th overall,…

The Exchange

On 2007-04-28, Dallas Cowboys received 2007 1st round pick (26th overall, Anthony Spencer), while Philadelphia Eagles received 2007 2nd round pick (36th overall, Kevin Kolb); 2007 3rd round pick (87th overall, Stewart Bradley); 2007 5th round pick (159th overall, C.J. Gaddis). The direct compensation is the foundation for the hindsight judgment. Later trades involving an acquired pick can explain how value continued to move through the league, but they do not change which assets these two clubs exchanged on this transaction.

Dallas Cowboys Return

Dallas Cowboys received 2007 1st round pick (26th overall, Anthony Spencer) in the 2007-04-28 exchange with Philadelphia Eagles. Anthony Spencer became a 104-game Cowboy, a Pro Bowler and a long-term defensive starter, giving Dallas substantial value from moving up to No. 26. The direct package is the basis for the hindsight grade, with later movement of an acquired selection treated separately. That supports Even Trade.

Philadelphia Eagles Return

Philadelphia Eagles received 2007 2nd round pick (36th overall, Kevin Kolb); 2007 3rd round pick (87th overall, Stewart Bradley); 2007 5th round pick (159th overall, C.J. Gaddis) in the 2007-04-28 exchange with Dallas Cowboys. Kevin Kolb supplied several starts and Stewart Bradley became a useful Eagles linebacker, giving Philadelphia meaningful value from the three-selection return. The direct package is the basis for the hindsight grade, with later movement of an acquired selection treated separately. That supports Even Trade.

Value in Hindsight

Dallas landed the best long-term single player in Spencer, but Philadelphia converted the move down into multiple useful pieces rather than empty draft capital. The direct value on both sides is strong enough that a clear Eagles win overstates the separation. The package should therefore be judged on durable contribution and the value each club controlled immediately after the exchange. That approach keeps the conclusion proportional to a minor-tier deal while still recognizing a meaningful difference when one side produced clearly stronger results.

Final Verdict

Dallas Cowboys receives a B and Philadelphia Eagles receives a B. The verdict is Even Trade. The grade spread reflects the realized football difference described above, while the even grades used in balanced cases recognize that neither direct return created enough separation to force a winner.