Dallas spent a future fifth-round pick to move back into the…
Dallas spent a future fifth-round pick to move back into the 2017 draft and select safety Xavier Woods at No. 191. Woods became a four-year Dallas contributor with 60 games, 48 starts and five interceptions. New York later recycled the No. 157 pick through two draft-day trades that produced Folorunso Fatukasi and Trenton Cannon, giving the Jets useful value but not quite the same immediate return.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 2017 6th round pick (191st overall, Xavier Woods)
New York Jets Received
- pick 2018 5th round pick (157th overall subsequently traded, Tyler Conklin )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Dallas traded its 2018 fifth-round pick to New York for pick No. 191 in the 2017 draft and selected Louisiana Tech safety Xavier Woods. The Jets held the future choice at No. 157, then dealt it to Minnesota in 2018 and worked the return through another swap that yielded picks No. 180 and No. 204. New York selected Folorunso Fatukasi and Trenton Cannon with those later choices.
Why Dallas Has the Edge
Woods gave the Cowboys dependable value immediately. He appeared in 60 games over four seasons, started 48 and intercepted five passes while becoming a regular member of the secondary. That is a strong return from the sixth round and justified spending a future fifth to secure a player Dallas had graded well above his draft slot. The Jets did not waste the acquired asset, but their value required two later trades and multiple selections to approach Woods' contribution.
How the Return Aged
Fatukasi became a respectable interior defender for New York, starting 23 games from 2020 through 2021 after a developmental start to his career. Cannon contributed mostly as a reserve runner and special-teams player. Their combined production means this was not a one-sided miss for the Jets. Still, Dallas received four straight seasons from the exact player it targeted, and Woods became a full-time starter before leaving in free agency.
Final Verdict
Dallas earns a B+ and New York a B-. The Jets created legitimate downstream value from the future pick, especially through Fatukasi, but the Cowboys paid a reasonable premium and received a multi-year starting safety. Dallas Cowboys Win.