Dallas acquired John Sutro from Green Bay, but Sutro did not…
Dallas acquired John Sutro from Green Bay, but Sutro did not play a regular-season game for the Cowboys after the transaction. His NFL appearances came with San Francisco instead, leaving Dallas without a realized on-field return from the acquisition. Green Bay's sixth-round selection also failed to create meaningful NFL value, so the Cowboys' side belongs in a conservative C- range.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player John Sutro
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1963 sixth round pick (#76-John Simmons (a))
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1962-07-29, Dallas Cowboys received John Sutro, while Green Bay Packers received 1963 sixth round pick (#76-John Simmons (a)). The deal can be judged by the value each franchise actually controlled after the exchange: direct playing time, useful roster service, and clearly documented movement of any draft choice. Those later results provide the basis for comparing the two returns.
Dallas Cowboys Return
Dallas acquired John Sutro from Green Bay, but Sutro did not play a regular-season game for the Cowboys after the transaction. His NFL appearances came with San Francisco instead, leaving Dallas without a realized on-field return from the acquisition. Green Bay's sixth-round selection also failed to create meaningful NFL value, so the Cowboys' side belongs in a conservative C- range. The grade reflects the actual usefulness of that return rather than the reputation or theoretical value attached to the asset on the day of the deal.
Green Bay Packers Return
Green Bay received the 1963 sixth-round pick used on John Simmons after sending John Sutro to Dallas. Simmons did not become a meaningful NFL contributor, so the Packers did not turn the selection into a lasting football advantage. Because Sutro likewise produced no regular-season value for Dallas after the deal, Green Bay's return was similarly limited and merits the same C- grade. The same standard applies to this side: tangible playing value and clearly retained draft capital matter more than an eventual selection made by a different franchise.
Value in Hindsight
Neither side can point to a durable post-trade contribution. Sutro did not play for Dallas in the regular season, and the pick Green Bay received did not become a meaningful NFL asset through Simmons. When both direct returns fail to generate material production, the most defensible hindsight view is an even low-grade result rather than a directional verdict built on theoretical opportunity.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Dallas Cowboys earns C-, and Green Bay Packers earns C-. Those grades reflect the supported package and the relative football value each side realized, while keeping later draft movement in the proper franchise context.