Denver acquired defensive lineman Kevin Brooks from Dallas on…
Denver acquired defensive lineman Kevin Brooks from Dallas on July 10, 1989 and also received a 1990 fourth-round pick that became Jeroy Robinson, while Dallas received a 1990 third-rounder. Brooks never played a regular-season game for Denver, and Robinson appeared in only a handful of NFL games. Dallas retained the more useful draft asset and later leveraged that pick in additional draft movement, giving the Cowboys the edge.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Kevin Brooks
- pick 1990 fourth round pick (#82-Jeroy Robinson)
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1990 third round pick (#80-Greg McMurtry)
Trade Analysis
Why Denver Acquired Brooks
Denver traded for Kevin Brooks on July 10, 1989 after the defensive lineman had fallen out of Dallas's plans. The final draft accounting gave the Broncos Brooks plus a 1990 fourth-round choice, No. 82, while Dallas received a 1990 third-round choice, No. 80. Denver was betting that a former first-round talent plus a small move down in draft position could produce more value than the higher pick.
What Denver Actually Received
The player portion disappeared before the regular season. Brooks did not play a game for Denver; he was released and then joined Detroit in September 1989. The fourth-round choice became Jeroy Robinson, whose NFL career consisted of only a small number of games. Denver therefore received almost none of the intended veteran value and very little lasting production from the draft portion.
How Dallas Preserved Value
Dallas held the more valuable third-round selection, and the pick remained part of the Cowboys' broader 1990 draft maneuvering. Even though No. 80 ultimately became Greg McMurtry after the selection moved to New England, Dallas had a higher-value chip available for another transaction. That retained flexibility matters when Denver's two acquired components produced so little for the Broncos themselves.
Final Verdict
This is more a win through avoided loss and preserved draft value than through one star player. Denver took on Brooks without receiving a regular-season appearance and did not get meaningful compensation from Robinson. Dallas moved a player it no longer wanted and came away with the stronger pick asset. A B- for Dallas and D+ for Denver capture that clear but non-blockbuster difference. Dallas Cowboys Win is the proper verdict.