Denver Broncos–Indianapolis Colts Trade History

Denver Broncos and Baltimore Colts exchanged 1973 seventh round pick (#166-John Grant) for John Mosier. Denver turned a reserve tight end into John Grant, who played 99 games for the Broncos from 1973 through 1979 and started 30. A seventh-round choice becoming a seven-season defensive contributor is a strong late-round outcome. In hindsight, Denver Broncos produced the stronger realized return, with the grade based on actual post-trade service and traceable downstream value rather than the nominal asset label alone.

Denver acquired linebacker Bill Laskey from Baltimore for a 1974 seventh-round pick that became Dan Dickel. Laskey gave the Broncos 25 games and 21 starts over 1973 and 1974, including two interceptions in his first Denver season. Dickel also became useful, playing every game for the Colts from 1974 through 1977 as a reserve linebacker and special-teams contributor. Denver wins narrowly because its return carried the larger starting role.

Denver acquired linebacker Ray May from Baltimore on October 3, 1973 for 1974 third- and eighth-round picks. May became a useful Broncos starter for three seasons, but Baltimore used the third-rounder on guard Robert Pratt, who developed into a long-term Colts lineman with 170 career games. Denver received solid value; Pratt's sustained impact gives Baltimore the stronger return.

Denver Broncos received Tom Drougas from Indianapolis Colts. Tom Drougas appeared in four Broncos games before moving to Kansas City later in 1974, giving Denver a small but tangible direct return. That realized return supports a C- grade for Denver Broncos. The final verdict is Denver Broncos Win, based on the regular-season service and draft value each club actually received after the exchange.

Denver received Baltimore's 1980 eighth-round pick, No. 197, and used it on Don Coleman. Coleman did not develop into meaningful regular-season value for the Broncos. Since Bucky Dilts immediately handled the Colts' punting job for all 16 games in 1979, Denver ended up with the weaker direct return and receives a D+.

Denver acquired Don Hardeman from Baltimore for a 1980 twelfth-round pick but released him before the regular season. The Broncos therefore received no game value from the transaction. Because Baltimore used the resulting No. 324 pick on Marvin Sims, who made the roster and played in 32 games over two seasons, Denver's side earns a D.

Baltimore acquired Glenn Hyde from Denver and sent away the draft choice that became 1983 eighth-round pick No. 197 Gary Kubiak. Hyde supplied only a brief Colts return and did not develop into a lasting contributor. Kubiak, meanwhile, stayed with Denver for nine seasons and appeared in 119 regular-season games, creating a large difference in realized value.

Denver acquired the rights to No. 1 overall pick John Elway from the Colts for Chris Hinton, Mark Herrmann and a 1984 first-round selection that became Ron Solt. Elway became Denver's Hall of Fame franchise quarterback, leading five Super Bowl appearances and two championships. Hinton and Solt gave the Colts substantial value, but no return could match Elway's transformative career.

Indianapolis sent offensive tackle Jim Mills to Denver for a future undisclosed draft choice. Contemporary reporting supports that general compensation but not the previously listed exact conditional tenth-round description. Because no reliable later selection can be tied to the deal, the Colts' return remains modest and difficult to value beyond the fact that they received future draft consideration. A C grade is appropriate.

Indianapolis acquired veteran tackle Bill Contz from Denver for a conditional 1990 eleventh-round pick. The condition was never exercised, so Denver ultimately received no draft selection, but Contz also lasted only briefly with the Colts and was released before the 1989 regular season. With neither side receiving lasting football value, the most accurate hindsight result is an even, low-impact transaction.

Indianapolis Colts received Cassius Vaughn, while Denver Broncos received Chris Gronkowski. Vaughn played 32 games with 15 starts and four interceptions for Indianapolis; Gronkowski spent one season as a reserve fullback in Denver. The hindsight grades are A- for Indianapolis Colts and C- for Denver Broncos, producing a Indianapolis Colts Win verdict.

Indianapolis sent pick No. 179 and a 2023 third-rounder to Denver to move back into the 2022 third round for safety Nick Cross at No. 96. Cross grew from a young special-teams contributor into a productive starting safety, giving the Colts a durable defensive payoff. Denver later used the future third on Drew Sanders, but his early return did not match Cross's established role in Indianapolis.