Dallas Cowboys received Lance Rentzel from Minnesota Vikings…
Dallas Cowboys received Lance Rentzel from Minnesota Vikings for 1968 third round pick (#76-Mike McGill). Rentzel became a major Dallas deep threat, topping 950 receiving yards in 1968 and 1969 and catching 12 touchdowns in 1969. Across the complete player and draft outcomes, the exchange supports the Dallas Cowboys Win verdict while still crediting the other club for the useful value it realized.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Lance Rentzel
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1968 third round pick (#76- Mike McGill )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On 1967-05-03, Dallas Cowboys received Lance Rentzel, while Minnesota Vikings received 1968 third round pick (#76-Mike McGill). The transaction trail ties Minnesota's 1968 third-round selection, No. 76, directly to the Rentzel trade. The exchange is best judged by what those assets actually became for the acquiring clubs, rather than by the apparent size of each package on the day of the deal.
What Dallas Cowboys Got
Lance Rentzel became a major downfield weapon in Dallas. From 1967 through 1970 he produced multiple high-impact receiving seasons, including more than 950 receiving yards in both 1968 and 1969 and 12 touchdown catches in 1969. That outcome gives the Dallas Cowboys side a clear basis for its A- grade. The value here is tied to real roster contribution, draft conversion, durability and the length of time the acquired assets helped the club. Short stays and assets that never reached the field count far less than multi-season production.
What Minnesota Vikings Got
Minnesota converted the deal into the 76th pick of the 1968 draft and selected linebacker Mike McGill. That return did not approach the sustained offensive production Dallas received from Rentzel. That result supports a C grade for Minnesota Vikings. The comparison also accounts for timing: immediate production can matter even when it does not last, while draft capital becomes especially valuable when it turns into a long-term starter or when the player sent away performs at a high level for years.
Final Verdict
The final judgment is Dallas Cowboys Win. The decisive factor is the gap in realized football value between the two returns, not simply the number of names or picks exchanged. Dallas Cowboys earns a A-, while Minnesota Vikings earns a C. The result reflects the full historical arc of the players and selections involved and leaves room for useful short-term contributions on the losing side without treating them as equal to the stronger long-term return.