Dallas Cowboys received 1979 sixth round pick (#160-Mike…
Dallas Cowboys received 1979 sixth round pick (#160-Mike Salzano) in the 1977-09-11 exchange with Denver Broncos. The future sixth-round selection became Mike Salzano, who did not appear in an NFL regular-season game for Dallas. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Dallas Cowboys surrendered, the result supports Denver Broncos Win and a D+ grade for Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1979 sixth round pick (#160-Mike Salzano)
Denver Broncos Received
- player Jim Jensen (Douglas)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1977-09-11, Dallas Cowboys received 1979 sixth round pick (#160-Mike Salzano), while Denver Broncos received Jim Jensen (Douglas). The comparison is limited to the consideration each club controlled directly after the transaction. Later moves involving an acquired pick or player are separate transactions, so they are used only to explain provenance when useful and are not counted as additional compensation here.
Dallas Cowboys Return
The future sixth-round selection became Mike Salzano, who did not appear in an NFL regular-season game for Dallas. The practical question is how much useful football value the incoming side actually created through starts, playing time, production, roster longevity, or retained draft capital. That return is weighed against what Dallas Cowboys gave up, with the size of the transaction kept in proportion.
Denver Broncos Return
Jim Jensen became a useful multi-year Broncos back and member of the 1977 Super Bowl team, supplying far more football value than the pick Denver surrendered. The same standard applies to Denver Broncos. A larger number of pieces does not automatically mean a better trade; quality and durability matter more than raw asset count. That keeps the comparison centered on realized football value rather than the appearance of the package on the day of the exchange.
Value in Hindsight
Denver received Jim Jensen, who became a useful multi-year Broncos back and member of the 1977 Super Bowl team, finishing with more than 1,100 career rushing yards. Dallas' future sixth-round return became Mike Salzano, who did not play an NFL regular-season game. Denver captured the meaningful football value. The exchange is documented well enough to support a firm hindsight judgment. The grades reflect the difference between what each side received and what those assets actually became for the clubs, while avoiding credit for unrelated transactions that happened later. Short-term usefulness matters, but sustained starting value, premium production, or durable draft value carries more weight.
Final Verdict
Dallas Cowboys receives a D+ and Denver Broncos receives a B+. The verdict is Denver Broncos Win. This result reflects the direct package, the value each team actually realized, and the separation created by those outcomes rather than the nominal size of either side's return.