The Dallas Cowboys, one of the best teams in the league, were getting ready for the 1974 NFL Draft.

Two seasons before they had finally captured their first NFL championship. A few months earlier they had lost to the Vikings in the NFC title game.

The Cowboys were trying to retool and acquire the necessary pieces to make another title push, despite their recent winning streak.

The 1964 Draft, which produced three future Hall of Famers, was more successful than the 1974 Draft, though it was still a respectable draft.

They were able to do so because of a trade they had with their southern neighbors prior to the 1973 season. Dallas sent receiver Billy Parks and defensive end Toddy Smith to the Oilers.

Houston’s top pick and the 53rd overall pick in the 1974 Draft—which was selected in the third round—were acquired by the Cowboys in exchange.

Smith played in 50 games for the Oilers over the course of four seasons, contributing 21 sacks, an interception, and four fumble recoveries.

Parks was to play in Houston for three seasons. For the Oilers, he had 64 receptions for 919 yards and two touchdowns.

Dallas fulfilled their half of the bargain with even greater compensation.

Jones, a 6-9, 271-pound recruit from Tennessee State, was a perfect fit for the Cowboys defense. Even before they got off the bus, the opposition offense was terrified of him just because of his size.

Jones started every game at full time by the 1975 campaign.

He would play for 15 seasons, missing the 1979 campaign to focus on his unsuccessful boxing career, and was selected to three Pro Bowls.

He had a strong career-ending stat line. Jones recorded 19 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, and 106 sacks.

Strangely enough, Jones remains uninducted into the Ring of Honor to this day. An odd omission considering that he played a crucial role in the Cowboys’ defense that won them a second Super Bowl in 1977.