Yes, that is correct. Jerry Rice and the Dallas Cowboys. Rice is widely considered the greatest wide receiver of all time. The Cowboys are one of the Forty Niners’ biggest historic rivals. Why are they both together?
Because Dallas might have had the chance to draft Jerry Rice… and watched him get taken one pick before them.
In the 1985 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys held the 17th overall pick. The San Francisco 49ers were sitting at 28. But the 49ers were convinced that the Cowboys were seriously considering Rice, the small-school star out of Mississippi Valley State. Not wanting to risk it, San Francisco traded up with the New England Patriots to the 16th pick — one spot ahead of Dallas — and selected Jerry Rice.
Dallas then picked defensive lineman Kevin Brooks at No. 17.
Rice went on to win three Super Bowls, earn 13 Pro Bowl selections, and retire as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns — records that still stand. While there’s no official draft card proving Dallas would have taken him, multiple reports and draft historians have confirmed the Cowboys had strong interest.
One trade up. One pick earlier. And possibly one of the biggest “what ifs” in NFL history.
There’s your fact for today!
See you a the next snap,
Tatum
The Write Zone 
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