Dallas received three seasons of dual-purpose kicking and…
Dallas received three seasons of dual-purpose kicking and punting from Danny Villanueva, including a 107-point 1966 season. Los Angeles did even better with Tommy McDonald: 67 catches, 1,036 yards, nine touchdowns and a Pro Bowl selection in 1965, followed by 714 yards in 1966. Both sides gained real starters, but McDonald's peak gives the Rams the edge, A-minus to B-plus.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Danny Villanueva
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Tommy McDonald
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Dallas and Los Angeles made a true veteran-for-veteran football trade on May 14, 1965: the Cowboys received kicker-punter Danny Villanueva, while the Rams received wide receiver Tommy McDonald. Unlike several older transactions in this packet, both acquired players immediately became substantial contributors, so the grades should reflect what each side actually gained rather than defaulting to a middling even score.
Dallas Cowboys Return
Dallas received Villanueva and solved two specialist jobs with one player for three seasons. He appeared in all 14 regular-season games in 1965, 1966 and 1967, handled the bulk of the punting, and made 41 field goals across those seasons. His strongest scoring year came in 1966, when he converted all 56 extra points, made 17 field goals and scored 107 points. He also punted 192 times for Dallas over the three-year span. That is durable, useful value for a club that was becoming a contender.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles received McDonald and immediately unlocked a much higher offensive ceiling. In 1965 he started all 14 games, caught 67 passes for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns, and earned the final Pro Bowl selection of his career. He followed with 55 receptions for 714 yards in 1966. The Rams received two seasons of starting receiver production, including one elite season, before moving him to Atlanta.
Value in Hindsight
Dallas should not be punished merely because McDonald was the bigger name. Villanueva filled two roles and contributed every week. Still, McDonald's 1965 season was a premium offensive return that surpassed the impact of a good specialist, and he remained productive the following year.
Final Verdict
The Rams win by a modest margin. Los Angeles earns an A-minus for two strong McDonald seasons led by a 1,036-yard Pro Bowl campaign. Dallas earns a B-plus for three full seasons of reliable kicking and punting from Villanueva. This was a productive trade for both clubs, with the Rams capturing the higher peak.