Ron Solt

Indianapolis Colts (franchise now Indianapolis Colts) acquired 1989 first round pick (#22-Andre Rison); 1990 fourth round pick (#106-Rick Cunningham) from Philadelphia Eagles for Ron Solt. Hindsight favors the Colts side the edge because the incoming value produced more lasting franchise value than the package surrendered. The grade is still scaled to the trade tier so minor cash or depth moves do not receive exaggerated treatment.

Denver's trade for the rights to John Elway gave the Broncos the franchise quarterback who defined their next era. The Colts salvaged value from a difficult situation with Chris Hinton, Mark Herrmann, and a future first-round pick, but Denver landed the player who mattered most and changed the future of the franchise. The Colts recovered useful pieces, but Denver acquired a generational quarterback at the exact moment its franchise needed one.