Dallas traded Steve Wisniewski's rights and a sixth-rounder…
Dallas traded Steve Wisniewski's rights and a sixth-rounder for Raiders selections in the second, third and fifth rounds. The key payoff was fullback Daryl Johnston, a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion who became an important part of the Cowboys' dynasty. Rhondy Weston and Willis Crockett added little, leaving Dallas with a strong but narrower return than the Raiders received.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1989 second round pick (#39-Daryl Johnston)
- pick 1989 third round pick (#68-Rhondy Weston)
- pick 1989 fifth round pick (#119-Willis Crockett)
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- other rights to Steve Wisniewski
- pick 1989 sixth round pick (#140-Jeff Francis)
Trade Analysis
This is one of the rare trades in which both teams can defend the outcome decades later. Dallas wanted quantity in Jimmy Johnson's first draft and used the Raiders' interest in Steve Wisniewski to turn one early second-round slot into three selections. The most important became Daryl Johnston. "Moose" played 11 seasons for Dallas, reached two Pro Bowls, blocked for Emmitt Smith and collected three Super Bowl rings. That is an excellent return from a move-down strategy, even though Rhondy Weston and Willis Crockett contributed little.
The Raiders, however, received the best individual player in the transaction. Wisniewski started every regular-season game he played for the franchise: 206 appearances and 206 starts over 13 seasons. He earned eight Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors, giving Los Angeles elite continuity on the interior line for more than a decade. The sixth-rounder included with him became Jeff Francis, but Wisniewski alone justified the price.
Dallas deserves an A-level result because Johnston was not merely a roster survivor; he was a distinctive part of a championship offense and one of the best fullbacks of his era. Still, the two extra picks beyond Johnston did not develop into lasting Cowboys pieces, while Wisniewski became an even more decorated and durable player at a premium line position.
The margin is therefore small. Dallas successfully multiplied draft capital and obtained a championship contributor. Los Angeles paid that premium and landed a 13-year, eight-Pro Bowl cornerstone. With hindsight centered on realized player value rather than rings alone, the Raiders receive the slight edge, while Dallas remains only one step behind.