Dallas acquired Rolando McClain and a 2015 seventh-round pick…
Dallas acquired Rolando McClain and a 2015 seventh-round pick for a conditional 2015 sixth-rounder. McClain returned from retirement and immediately started 12 games for a 12-4 Cowboys team, providing badly needed linebacker play. Baltimore’s sixth-round selection became No. 204, Darren Waller, while Dallas’ seventh became Laurence Gibson. Waller’s later stardom came after Baltimore released him, so Dallas retains the stronger team-specific return.
Baltimore Ravens Received
- pick 2015 6th round pick (204th overall, Darren Waller )
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Rolando McClain
- pick 2015 7th round pick (243rd overall, Laurence Gibson )
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Dallas entered the 2014 summer with a major linebacker problem after Sean Lee suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Cowboys took a low-cost gamble on Rolando McClain, a former top-10 pick who had stepped away from football. Baltimore held McClain’s rights and accepted a conditional future sixth-rounder while sending back a seventh-round selection.
What Each Side Actually Got
The gamble worked immediately for Dallas. McClain returned to the field, played 13 games and started 12 for a Cowboys team that went 12-4 and won the NFC East. He supplied physical middle-linebacker play at a position of urgent need. Dallas also received the 2015 seventh-round pick that became No. 243, Laurence Gibson. Baltimore’s conditional sixth-rounder became No. 204, Darren Waller. Waller flashed unusual athletic ability but produced little for the Ravens and was eventually waived; his star seasons came later with the Raiders.
How the Value Aged
Waller’s eventual career makes the asset look fascinating in retrospect, but team-specific trade value matters. Baltimore did not receive the Pro Bowl version of Waller. Dallas did receive a starting linebacker during a contending season, and McClain remained with the club beyond 2014. That immediate contribution outweighs the limited Ravens production from the pick.
Why the Margin Matters
Baltimore deserves credit for turning a player it did not need into a draft choice that identified major talent. Still, realized Ravens value was modest. Dallas solved a real roster emergency at very little cost.
Final Verdict
Dallas Cowboys Win. Dallas earns a B+ for acquiring a starting linebacker who helped a 12-win team plus a late pick. Baltimore receives a C+ because the Waller selection had talent value, but the Ravens did not capture the later breakout that defined his career.
McClain's immediate Dallas starting role exceeded Baltimore's limited Waller value.