Dallas jumped from No. 14 to No. 6 in the 2012 draft to…
Dallas jumped from No. 14 to No. 6 in the 2012 draft to select cornerback Morris Claiborne, sending St. Louis the 14th and 45th picks. The Rams used No. 14 on Michael Brockers, who became a long-term defensive-line starter, then traded No. 45 to Chicago for picks used on Isaiah Pead and Rokevious Watkins. Claiborne had useful stretches but injuries limited his Dallas impact. Brockers makes the Rams clear winners.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 2012 1st round pick (6th overall, Morris Claiborne )
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2012 1st round pick (14th overall, Michael Brockers)
- pick 2012 2nd round pick (45th overall subsequently traded, Alshon Jeffery )
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Dallas viewed LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne as an elite prospect and aggressively moved from No. 14 to No. 6 in the 2012 first round. St. Louis accepted the 14th pick plus Dallas’s second-rounder at No. 45. The trade gave the Rams a premium additional selection for moving down eight spots.
What Each Side Received
The Cowboys selected Claiborne, who flashed starting ability but repeatedly battled injuries during five seasons in Dallas. The Rams used No. 14 on defensive tackle Michael Brockers. St. Louis did not select the eventual player at No. 45; the Rams traded that pick to Chicago, which used it on Alshon Jeffery.
How the Return Aged
Brockers became the key result. He started as a rookie and spent eight seasons with the Rams, providing durable interior defense through the franchise’s move to Los Angeles. In the second-round trade-down, St. Louis received Nos. 50 and 150 and selected Isaiah Pead and Rokevious Watkins. Neither became a meaningful long-term contributor, so the Rams’ win rests primarily on Brockers rather than the volume of assets.
Why the Margin Matters
Claiborne was not a total failure. He made 43 starts for Dallas and had productive stretches when healthy. But the Cowboys paid a second-round premium for a player whose injuries prevented a top-six-pick return. St. Louis moved down and still landed the most durable, valuable franchise contributor in the transaction.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles/Cleveland/St. Louis Rams Win. The Rams earn an A because Brockers supplied eight seasons of starting value while the club also controlled another premium pick. Dallas receives a C: Claiborne contributed, but not enough to justify both the sixth overall selection and the second-round cost used to reach it.