The Cowboys' haul from the deal

The Vikings sorely regret the huge trade for Herschel Walker. The deal netted the Cowboys three first- and second-round picks and five players. With the selections, Dallas drafted future all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, Alvin Harper and Darren Woodson, among others.

(Photo: USATSI)

Colts cave to John Elway

In the QB-laden 1983 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Colts drafted John Elway. Elway had no desire to play for the Colts, so he threatened to leave football altogether by signing with the MLB's New York Yankees.

After finally giving in to his demands, Elway was dealt to the Broncos for Chris Hinton, Mark Herrmann and a first-round pick.

(Photo: USATSI)

A tale of two franchises

Elway emerged as one of the greatest QBs of his generation, while the Colts eventually made the move to Indianapolis. The Colts' trade haul paled in comparison to the Broncos stealing away Elway.

Elway cemented his legacy with back-to-back Super Bowl championships to end his Hall of Fame career.

(Photo: USATSI)

Saints trade entire draft for Ricky Williams

Former Saints coach Mike Ditka became so enamored with Ricky Williams that he traded his entire draft for the chance to draft former Texas running back in 1999.

To move up from No. 12 to No. 5, the Saints traded away eight draft picks, including two first-round selections.

(Photo: USATSI)

Ricky Williams' short tenure in NOLA

Ricky Williams' tenure in the Big Easy didn't go as planned for Mike Ditka and the Saints. Williams played just three seasons with New Orleans before being shipped off to the Dolphins.

It wasn't all bad for the Saints, though. New Orleans was able to replace Williams with Deuce McAllister. He became one of the best backs in Saints history.

(Photo: USATSI)

Colts trade first-rounder for Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. After only one season, the Browns shipped off the running back to the Colts for a first-round selection. That didn't work out well for Indy, which never saw the runner realize his potential.

Richardson is now a backup running back with the Raiders.

(Photo: USATSI)

Chargers trade up for Ryan Leaf

Before the 1998 NFL Draft, many teams and experts debated between whether Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf would be the No. 1 pick. The Chargers, with a woeful offense, traded away three-time Pro Bowl running back Eric Metcalf, two first-round picks and a second rounder for whichever QB dropped to No. 2. Unfortunately for the Bolts, Leaf won just four of his 18 starts with San Diego. He's known as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

(Photo: USATSI)

Patriots trade away chance at Jerry Rice

Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, the 49ers made a bold move to trade up with the Patriots in the 1985 NFL Draft for some small school receiver named Jerry Rice. Maybe you've heard of him?

The Pats received three picks to move down, while the Niners jumped over the Cowboys, who were reportedly ready to take the greatest receiver of all time. Rice helped the Niners secure three more Lombardi Trophies in his illustrious career.

(Photo: USATSI)

Rams miss The Bus

While on the Rams, Jerome Bettis was in the midst of converting to fullback. The Steelers seized the opportunity to pry The Bus away from the Rams for second- and fourth-round picks.

Bettis rumbled for 1,000+ yards in six straight seasons, while helping Pittsburgh win Super Bowl XL. Bettis was a 2015 NFL Hall of Fame inductee.

(Photo: USATSI)

Buccaneers unload Steve Young to the 49ers

Before Steve Young became a Super Bowl-winning QB, he was the starter for the Buccaneers. After Tampa Bay acquired Vinny Testaverde, Young was placed on the trade block. Bill Walsh and the 49ers capitalized on the opportunity by giving up a second- and fourth-round pick in the 1987 NFL Draft for the QB.

Steve Young went on to replace Joe Montana as the Niners' signal caller. Young finished his Hall of Fame career with three Super Bowl victories and two NFL MVPs.

(Photo: USATSI)

Falcons deal Brett Favre to Packers

Brett Favre is one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game. In a move the Falcons regret to this day, Favre was dealt to the Packers for a 1992 first-round pick.

Favre started for the Packers for 16 consecutive seasons, winning one Super Bowl. He was also the first QB to win three consecutive NFL MVP awards.

(Photo: USATSI)

Colts give up on Marshall Faulk

In the 1999 draft, star running back Marshall Faulk was unloaded to the Rams for just a second- and fifth-round pick.

Unfortunately for the Colts, Faulk became a key member of the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" and helped lead St. Louis to a Super Bowl XXXIV win.

(Photo: USATSI)

Raiders unload Randy Moss for one pick

While with the Vikings, Randy Moss showed he was one of the best wide receivers the NFL has ever seen. With the Raiders, however, Moss never turned into an impactful player.

During the 2007 draft, the Raiders dealt the dynamic wide receiver for a lone fourth-round pick. Moss experienced a career revival with the Pats.

In his first season with New England, the Pats went undefeated in the regular season and Moss set the NFL record for most touchdown receptions in a season with 23.

(Photo: USATSI)

Redskins move up for RG3

The Redskins mortgaged their future for a player they thought would be their franchise QB. The 'Skins traded away three first-round picks and one second rounder for the right to draft Robert Griffin III.

Initially, RG3 looked great, but injuries and disagreements with coaching staffs have put his 'Skins career in danger.

The Rams drafted Greg Robinson, Alec Ogletree and Michael Brockers, among others in their haul from the trade.

(Photo: USATSI)

Patriots steal Wes Welker from Dolphins

Trades between division rivals add a little more intrigue to any trade. The Patriots traded the Dolphins 2007 second- and seventh-round selections for Wes Welker.

Welker emerged as a huge part of the Patriots' dink-and-dunk offense. An under-utilized player in Miami, Welker caught 111 or more passes in five of his six seasons with the Pats.

(Photo: USATSI)

Cowboys trade three picks for Roy Williams

Prior to the 2008 trade deadline, the Cowboys were desperate for help at wide receiver. Dallas dealt three picks, including a first rounder, for the Lions' Roy Williams.

Williams played 40 games for the Cowboys and amassed just 13 touchdowns receptions in his tenure.

(Photo: USATSI)

Oilers deal Steve Largent for 8th-rounder

Steve Largent was originally drafted in the fourth round by the Houston Oilers. The Seahawks ended up dealing an 1977 eighth-round pick (the NFL's current draft system is seven rounds) for the future Hall of Fame wideout.

Largent played 14 seasons in Seattle, and is one of the best players in franchise history.

(Photo: USATSI)