A reference chart that assigns a point value to each draft pick position, used by teams to evaluate the fairness of proposed draft pick trades. The most famous version is the Jimmy Johnson Chart created in the early 1990s.
The traded pick value chart is a tool used across the NFL to assess and negotiate draft pick trades. The original and most widely known version was created by the Dallas Cowboys under Jimmy Johnson in the early 1990s. It assigns point values to each pick in the draft, with the first overall pick valued at 3,000 points and values declining steeply through the rounds. The 32nd pick is worth approximately 590 points, and a late seventh-round pick is worth around 1 point. The steep decline in value reflects the reality that early-round picks are dramatically more likely to produce impact players than later selections. Under the Jimmy Johnson chart, the first overall pick is worth roughly as much as the entire fifth round combined. Teams use these point values to determine whether a proposed trade is roughly balanced -- if the points on both sides are close, the trade is considered fair. Modern analytics have produced updated value charts that many teams now use alongside or instead of the original. The Rich Hill chart, the Chase Stuart chart, and various proprietary models adjust for updated draft hit rates and expected career value. These newer charts generally give more value to picks in rounds 2-4 and less to the very top of the first round compared to the Johnson chart. Despite the proliferation of alternatives, the Jimmy Johnson chart remains a common starting point for trade discussions across the league.
Under the Jimmy Johnson chart, the first overall pick (3,000 points) is roughly equal in value to the 9th pick (1,350) and the 10th pick (1,300) combined, plus a mid-round selection. This framework has governed draft-day trade negotiations for over three decades.
Category: Draft & Rookies. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.