Buffalo Bills–Indianapolis Colts Trade History

Buffalo Bills: Mosier did not provide Buffalo regular-season value, leaving the Bills without a meaningful return from the acquired player. The F grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Indianapolis Colts, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Indianapolis Colts Win.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo converted the pick into Darnell Powell, but his Bills return was limited. The late-round selection did not produce comparable value to the veteran linebacker sent away. The C- grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Indianapolis Colts, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Indianapolis Colts Win.

Buffalo sent Dwight Harrison to the Colts in August 1978 and received a 1979 sixth-round pick, No. 141, plus cash. The draft choice became Mike Burrow, giving the Bills a traceable piece of future roster value in addition to the cash return. Buffalo's conversion of a veteran into multiple forms of compensation supports a B against the Colts' C+.

Buffalo Bills received 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy Witt) from Indianapolis Colts, sending Matt Kofler the other way. Neither return created meaningful long-term value, making an even grade reasonable. That outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.

Buffalo's return ultimately became the 1988 eighth-round selection used on Jeff Wright after Roger Caron's retirement triggered replacement consideration. Wright became a seven-season Bills defensive lineman, started 67 games, recorded 31.5 sacks, and played on all four Buffalo Super Bowl teams. That level of sustained production from late-round compensation turned the transaction into a major long-term success.

Buffalo obtained the rights to linebacker Cornelius Bennett on October 31, 1987, surrendering Greg Bell plus first-round picks in 1988 and 1989 and a 1989 second-rounder. Bennett became a centerpiece of the Bills defense during the franchise's Super Bowl run, making the premium package worthwhile despite the substantial price Buffalo paid.

Multi-team transaction also involving Los Angeles Rams.

The 1987 three-team blockbuster sent Eric Dickerson from the Rams to Indianapolis and the rights to Cornelius Bennett from the Colts to Buffalo. Los Angeles received Greg Bell, Owen Gill, and six draft choices: first-rounders that became Gaston Green, Aaron Cox, and Cleveland Gary, plus second-rounders Fred Strickland, Frank Stams, and Darryl Henley. All three clubs received substantial assets.

Buffalo and Indianapolis announced a deadline deal on October 14, 2008 that would have sent defensive tackle John McCargo to the Colts for a conditional draft pick. The exchange never became effective: McCargo failed Indianapolis' physical, the trade was voided, and his rights returned to Buffalo. No player or draft choice ultimately changed clubs.

Buffalo Bills received Nyheim Hines from Indianapolis, giving up Zack Moss and the 2023 fifth-round selection that became Will Mallory. Hines provided immediate return-game value, including two kickoff-return touchdowns in the 2022 playoffs, but his Buffalo tenure was interrupted before 2023. That useful but short contribution supports a C+ for Buffalo rather than a stronger long-term grade.

Indianapolis acquired center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and Buffalo's 2027 seventh-round pick for the Colts' 2027 sixth-round selection. Van Pran-Granger arrived with 31 NFL appearances and two starts at age 24, giving Indianapolis experienced interior depth for a small move down the draft board. The cost is limited, while the Colts gain a young player who can compete for backup or starting work.