Buffalo's signing of Pat Toomay produced immediate value: the…
Buffalo's signing of Pat Toomay produced immediate value: the defensive lineman became the Bills' defensive MVP in 1975. Dallas received a 1977 second-round choice as free-agent compensation. The Cowboys later folded that No. 30 pick into the package used to trade up for Tony Dorsett. Buffalo got an excellent short-term player, but Dallas turned the compensation into part of a franchise-changing acquisition.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Pat Toomay
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1977 second round pick (#30) [later traded with 1977 first round pick (#14-Steve August), 1977 second round pick (#41-Terry Beeson) and Duke Fergerson to Seattle Seahawks for 1977 first round pick (#2-Tony Dorsett)]
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Pat Toomay left Dallas for Buffalo, and the Cowboys received a 1977 second-round choice as compensation. This was tied to free-agent movement rather than a conventional negotiated player swap. The acquired choice eventually became No. 30 overall.
Why Buffalo Liked the Immediate Result
Toomay made the move worthwhile right away. He was named Buffalo's defensive MVP for the 1975 season, giving the Bills precisely the kind of immediate veteran impact they were seeking. That performance deserves far more credit than a low grade would suggest.
How Dallas Turned the Pick into Something Bigger
Dallas did not simply make a selection at No. 30. The Cowboys included that choice with other assets in the 1977 draft-day package that moved them to No. 2 overall, where they selected Tony Dorsett. The compensation pick was only one component, so it should not receive all the credit for Dorsett, but it became valuable trade currency.
Why Both Teams Can Like the Outcome
Buffalo received an excellent season from the player it signed. Dallas converted the loss into a premium draft asset and later leveraged that asset in a franchise-defining move. The structure produced legitimate value on both sides.
Final Verdict
Dallas wins narrowly and earns an A- because the second-round compensation became part of the path to Dorsett. Buffalo earns a B+ for Toomay's immediate defensive impact. The Cowboys' downstream use of the pick creates the hindsight edge, but Buffalo's side was successful enough that this should not be framed as a one-sided transaction.