Cowboys have two of Top-10 all-time NFL blockbuster trades, including No. 1

The Dallas Cowboys dominate Bleacher Report’s ranking of the NFL’s greatest blockbuster trades, securing two spots—including the No. 1 position—with deals that redefined their franchises and the league. The 1989 trade of running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings stands as the top blockbuster in NFL history. In exchange for Walker and three future picks, Dallas received a haul of first-round selections spanning 1990–1992, which helped build a dynasty. The Cowboys drafted stars like Emmitt Smith, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson, winning three Super Bowls in the early 1990s. A more recent trade, the 2025 deal sending edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, also ranks among the biggest. Parsons, seeking a contract extension, was traded for two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The Cowboys’ delay in negotiating with Parsons reportedly fueled the trade, which sent shockwaves through the league. The Cleveland Browns’ surprise move of trading two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on June 1, 2025, added to the week’s blockbuster activity. Garrett, frustrated in Cleveland, was sent for Jared Verse and three consecutive first-round picks, marking another high-profile trade. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown’s departure to the New England Patriots, rumored for months, also made headlines. While Brown’s trade lacked the same shock value as Garrett’s move, it completed a busy day for NFL offseason transactions. The Cowboys’ two historic trades—Walker in 1989 and Parsons in 2025—demonstrate their ability to leverage draft capital for long-term success, cementing their legacy in NFL trade lore.