New Orleans acquired Joe Williams from Dallas on January 31,…
New Orleans acquired Joe Williams from Dallas on January 31, 1972, while the Cowboys received the fourth-round choice that became linebacker Tim Kearney at No. 83. Williams appeared for the Saints that season, but Dallas converted the outgoing player into useful draft value. Kearney did not stick with the Cowboys long term, so the advantage is real but appropriately modest.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1972 fourth round pick (#83-Tim Kearney)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Joe Williams (Harold)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Dallas moved Joe Williams to New Orleans on January 31, 1972 and received the fourth-round choice that became Tim Kearney, the 83rd overall selection. The Cowboys’ contemporary media guide ties that pick directly to the Williams transaction, while New Orleans roster records confirm Williams was part of the Saints’ 1972 team. The package therefore resolves cleanly as player for pick.
What New Orleans Received
Williams gave the Saints an experienced player rather than a future asset. He appeared on New Orleans’ 1972 roster, but the move did not produce a long-term cornerstone or a major swing in franchise value. For a team trying to reshape its roster, acquiring a usable veteran had understandable short-term logic, yet the historical payoff remained limited.
What Dallas Received
Dallas used the acquired choice on Kearney. He was released by the Cowboys in September 1972 and ultimately built most of his ten-year NFL career elsewhere, so Dallas cannot claim the full value of everything he later became. Still, receiving a fourth-round selection for Williams gave the Cowboys a meaningful roster-building asset and a chance to add a future professional linebacker at low cost.
Final Verdict
Dallas gets the edge, but not by a huge margin. New Orleans obtained a player who could help immediately, while Dallas turned him into a legitimate draft asset. Because Kearney’s useful NFL career unfolded mainly after he left Dallas, a B for the Cowboys and C+ for the Saints better reflects the realized value than an extreme grade spread.