New Orleans acquired linebacker Scott Shanle from Dallas for…
New Orleans acquired linebacker Scott Shanle from Dallas for a 2007 seventh-round pick, which the Cowboys used at No. 237 on defensive back Alan Ball. Both players outperformed the typical expectations of their acquisition cost, but Shanle's long run as a New Orleans starter and championship contributor gives the Saints the stronger result.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 2007 7th round pick (237th overall, Alan Ball)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Scott Shanle
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
New Orleans acquired linebacker Scott Shanle from Dallas for a 2007 seventh-round pick, which the Cowboys used at No. 237 on defensive back Alan Ball. At the time, each club had a practical roster reason for acting, and the price was small enough or targeted enough to make the exchange understandable before the later results were known.
What the Returns Produced
Shanle immediately became a starting linebacker, led the 2006 Saints in solo tackles, remained a regular for years, and started for the franchise's Super Bowl XLIV championship team. Dallas turned the late selection into Alan Ball, who became a useful defensive back and contributed across several Cowboys seasons, giving the club legitimate value from a seventh-round return. Looking only at the names exchanged on the transaction date misses part of the story, because actual playing time, role, longevity and any later use of draft capital determine how much football value each side ultimately created.
How the Value Developed
Both players outperformed the typical expectations of their acquisition cost, but Shanle's long run as a New Orleans starter and championship contributor gives the Saints the stronger result. The longer view matters most here: a short burst of production can still justify a modest acquisition cost, while a draft choice can become more valuable when it is converted into a durable starter or additional selections.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This deal is a useful reminder that trade value should follow the complete return rather than stop at the first transaction line. Later pick movement, roster tenure and meaningful postseason or starting contributions all belong in the comparison. That approach gives both teams credit for what their assets actually became instead of grading only the original labels.
Final Verdict
New Orleans Saints Win is the best fit. Dallas Cowboys earns a B-, while New Orleans Saints earns a A. Those marks account for the cost paid, the direct production received, the length of each contribution and any important downstream draft value. The gap is intentionally narrow when both sides found useful returns and wider when one club received little lasting football value.