Dallas Cowboys received Larry Stephens from New Orleans…
Dallas Cowboys received Larry Stephens from New Orleans Saints for 1968 fourth round pick (#103-Dan Sartin). Stephens remained with Dallas during its 1967 championship-game season, giving the Cowboys the only meaningful team-specific return. Across the complete player and draft outcomes, the exchange supports the Dallas Cowboys Win verdict while still crediting the other club for the useful value it realized.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Larry Stephens
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1968 fourth round pick (#103-Dan Sartin)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On 1967-09-14, Dallas Cowboys received Larry Stephens, while New Orleans Saints received 1968 fourth round pick (#103-Dan Sartin). The Saints' own draft material identifies pick No. 103 as the choice obtained from Dallas for Larry Stephens. The exchange is best judged by what those assets actually became for the acquiring clubs, rather than by the apparent size of each package on the day of the deal.
What Dallas Cowboys Got
Dallas retained or reacquired Larry Stephens, who remained part of the Cowboys' 1967 team and contributed during a season that reached the NFL Championship Game. The Cowboys therefore received the only meaningful team-specific return. That outcome gives the Dallas Cowboys side a clear basis for its B grade. The value here is tied to real roster contribution, draft conversion, durability and the length of time the acquired assets helped the club. Short stays and assets that never reached the field count far less than multi-season production.
What New Orleans Saints Got
New Orleans received the 103rd selection in the 1968 draft and used it on Dan Sartin. Sartin never played a regular-season game for the Saints, leaving the club without realized on-field value from the choice. That result supports a D+ grade for New Orleans Saints. The comparison also accounts for timing: immediate production can matter even when it does not last, while draft capital becomes especially valuable when it turns into a long-term starter or when the player sent away performs at a high level for years.
Final Verdict
The final judgment is Dallas Cowboys Win. The decisive factor is the gap in realized football value between the two returns, not simply the number of names or picks exchanged. Dallas Cowboys earns a B, while New Orleans Saints earns a D+. The result reflects the full historical arc of the players and selections involved and leaves room for useful short-term contributions on the losing side without treating them as equal to the stronger long-term return.