Michael Strahan reveals how he nearly became a Dallas Cowboy, one trade ruined it all

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Every NFL Draft comes with its share of hits and misses.

Some players who aren’t on anyone’s radar turn out to be stars, like Brock Purdy.

Then there’s high-end talent who end up being busts like Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel.

In between that, we have players many passed on, like Patrick Mahomes failling to the Chiefs at #10 in 2017.

Speaking of misses, there’s one draft pick that, by all accounts, should’ve gone to the Dallas Cowboys years ago but didn’t.

Michael Strahan nearly a Cowboy

When you’re selected as an All-American, even by the “Poor Man’s Guide to the NFL Draft”, expectations are high.

However, playing at a school like Texas Southern, Michael Strahan didn’t get the same kind of attention as big schools.

The Dallas Cowboys were fresh off a Super Bowl victory in 1993, and were eyeing Strahan.

He grew up in Houston and could’ve been a Cowboys if Jimmy Johnson had supposedly kept a promise.

Speaking on Tom Brady‘s podcast “Let’s Go”, Strahan says he met Johnson, Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman about taking him in the opening round at #29.

However, the Cowboys traded their 29th and 112th selections to the Green Bay Packers instead.

Strahan didn’t hear his name called until the New York Giants chose him in the second round at #40.

In return, the Cowboys got four Green Bay picks in 93 at #46, 54, 94 and 213.

Those picks ended up being wide receiver Kevin Williams (#46), linebacker Darrin Smith (#54), running back Derrick Lassic (#94) and cornerback Reggie Givens (213).

Where Are They Now?

When you look at those names mentioned, it’s easy to see the Giants won that trade.

Strahan was a First-team All-Pro four times, leading the NFL in sacks twice while winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2001.

During the height of his career, he even did a Snickers commercial concerning the Dallas Cowboys.

Strahan was a part of one of the greatest-ever Super Bowl upsets.

His Giants ruined the undefeated Patriots season in February 2008.

In the playoffs that year, Strahan’s Giants beat the top-seeded Cowboys in the Divisional Round.

Kevin Williams won two Super Bowls in Dallas while leading the league in kickoff return yards in 1997.

Darrin Smith also won two world titles in Big D, registering at least 40 tackles or more during his Cowboy days.

Lassic became the first rookie running back to start a season opener for a reigning Super Bowl champion in 1993 due to Emmitt Smith’s contract holdout.

In his brief NFL career, Lassic scored two touchdowns in the first three weeks of the 93 season before Smith’s return.

He only made practice squads in the NFL and Canadian Football League (CFL) afterwards.

Givens also spent most of his career in Canada, named a CFL all-star in 1996.

His NFL highlight was being special teams captain with the 49ers in 1998 and 99.

Strahan played in two Super Bowls throughout his career, the same amount as the Cowboys from that point until now.

If there’s a consolation for Dallas, it’s that the Cowboys hold a 2-1 advantage over Strahan regarding Super Bowl wins.