Oakland moved up four spots for safety Tyvon Branch, sending…
Oakland moved up four spots for safety Tyvon Branch, sending Dallas picks No. 104 and No. 213. Branch became a long-term Raiders starter with four consecutive seasons of at least 94 tackles. Dallas transformed the incoming choices into Tashard Choice and Orlando Scandrick; Scandrick played nine seasons for the Cowboys and became a regular starter. Both sides did extremely well, but Dallas created greater combined value.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 2008 4th round pick (100th overall, Tyvon Branch )
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 2008 4th round pick (104th overall; traded to Cleveland for picks 122 Tashard Choice and 155)
- pick 2008 7th round pick (213th overall; packaged with pick 155 to Jacksonville for pick 143 Orlando Scandrick)
Trade Analysis
Why Oakland Moved Up
The Raiders sent Dallas picks No. 104 and No. 213 for No. 100 and selected Connecticut safety Tyvon Branch. Oakland was targeting speed and versatility in the secondary and paid only a small move-up premium. Branch quickly developed into far more than a typical fourth-round defender, validating the Raiders' player evaluation even if the trade itself ultimately favors Dallas.
What Branch Gave Oakland
Branch became a regular starter in 2009 and held that role for years. He started 67 games during his Raiders tenure and produced four consecutive seasons from 2009 through 2012 with at least 94 combined tackles. He also contributed as a blitzer and in coverage, finishing his Oakland run with eight sacks and four interceptions. That is excellent fourth-round production.
How Dallas Multiplied the Return
Dallas traded No. 104 to Cleveland for Nos. 122 and 155, selecting Tashard Choice at 122. The Cowboys then packaged No. 155 with the original Raiders seventh-rounder, No. 213, to Jacksonville for No. 143 and selected Orlando Scandrick. Choice supplied useful backfield depth, while Scandrick became a nine-season Cowboy and a regular secondary starter.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This is a textbook case where the move-up team hit and still lost narrowly. Oakland found a high-quality starting safety. Dallas repeatedly recycled the compensation and created two useful players, one of whom lasted nearly a decade in its secondary. Grading the original deal requires following those incoming choices instead of stopping at their initial pick numbers.
Final Verdict
Dallas Cowboys Win. Dallas earns an A for turning the two incoming selections into Choice and Scandrick, with Scandrick providing exceptional longevity. Oakland receives an A- because Branch was an outstanding fourth-round hit. Both organizations created major value, but Dallas' combined return and nine-year secondary contribution give the Cowboys the slight advantage.