Detroit Lions–Indianapolis Colts Trade History

Baltimore acquired defensive lineman Ray Krouse from Detroit on July 17, 1958, for a 1959 third-round pick, No. 36 overall, used on Ron Luciano. Krouse immediately joined a Colts defense that won consecutive NFL championships in 1958 and 1959. Luciano did not produce comparable NFL value for Detroit, leaving Baltimore with the stronger return.

Baltimore acquired veteran kicker Jim Martin from Detroit on September 3, 1963, for the 1964 tenth-round choice that became No. 134 Glenn Holton. Martin immediately scored 104 points for the Colts, making 24 field goals in 39 attempts and leading the NFL in field goals made. Holton was drafted by Detroit but never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, creating a decisive one-season value advantage for the Colts.

Detroit's return was much better than the old C- grade suggested. Joe Don Looney started nine games and scored six touchdowns in 1965, then the fifth-round pick acquired from Baltimore was routed to Dallas for Amos Marsh, who played 41 Lions games over three seasons. Dennis Gaubatz nevertheless became Baltimore's long-term middle linebacker and a 1968 NFL champion, preserving a narrow Colts win at B+ to B.

On 1966-08-08, Detroit Lions received John McGuire, while Indianapolis Colts received 1967 sixth round pick (selection not identified). The final verdict is Even Trade, with Detroit Lions graded C and Indianapolis Colts graded C. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Both sides have identifiable consideration, allowing the hindsight grade to focus on what those assets actually became.

On 1967-10-04, Detroit Lions received 1968 sixth round pick (selection not identified), while Indianapolis Colts received Jim Todd. The final verdict is Even Trade, with Detroit Lions graded C and Indianapolis Colts graded C. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Both sides have identifiable consideration, allowing the hindsight grade to focus on what those assets actually became.

Detroit acquired veteran defensive back Jim Welch from Baltimore for cash shortly before the 1968 season. Welch appeared in all 14 Lions games that year, providing one season of depth, while the Colts received no player or draft pick that can be traced to an on-field return from the transaction. The surviving record does not establish enough separation to force a winner, so the deal remains an Even Trade with C+ grades.

Baltimore acquired veteran lineman Joe Schmiesing from Detroit on June 14, 1973 for a future fourth-round choice. Schmiesing started 11 games for the Colts that season, while Detroit later returned the trade consideration to Baltimore in the Jim O'Brien transaction. Both clubs extracted useful value from the same asset chain, supporting an even B/B result.

Detroit acquired Jim O'Brien from Baltimore for the 1974 fourth-round choice that became No. 84 Tony Bell. O'Brien handled the Lions' kicking duties in 1973, appearing in ten games and scoring 38 points. Bell never produced a regular-season NFL return for the Colts, so Detroit received the only meaningful documented football value from the transaction.

Baltimore acquired defensive tackle John Gordon from Detroit on August 1, 1973 for a 1974 tenth-round selection. Gordon had appeared in two NFL games for Detroit in 1972 and did not record another regular-season appearance after the trade. Detroit therefore recovered future draft capital for a player who provided Baltimore no measurable regular-season production.

Baltimore acquired Ed Mooney from Detroit for its 1974 fifth-round selection, No. 109. Mooney appeared in 13 games and started three for the Colts before being traded again the next January. Detroit flipped the pick to Atlanta for Willie Germany, who appeared in six Lions games. Both sides received short-term value, but Baltimore’s player contribution and later return give it the edge.

Detroit acquired wide receiver Freddie Scott and Baltimore’s 1978 fourth-round pick, No. 107, for defensive tackle Herb Orvis. The Lions used the selection on Homer Elias, who played seven seasons for Detroit and started 87 of 96 games. Elias’s sustained offensive-line work, combined with Scott, gave Detroit a substantially stronger return than Baltimore received.

Detroit traded veteran quarterback Greg Landry to Baltimore for three draft choices: a 1979 fourth, a 1979 fifth and a 1980 third. The Lions' most useful return became tight end Ulysses Norris, who spent five seasons with Detroit and started 15 games in 1983. The package supplied useful roster depth without producing a star.

Detroit Lions received Stan White from Indianapolis Colts. Stan White became a three-year Detroit starter and played 41 games with 41 starts from 1980 through 1982, giving the Lions extensive direct value from the transaction. That outcome supports a A- grade for Detroit Lions when the trade is measured by the football value actually realized after the exchange.

Detroit traded tackle Karl Baldischwiler to Baltimore during 1983 training camp for a 1984 seventh-round choice. The Lions used No. 178 on Jimmie Carter, whose NFL career amounted to one game and did not create value for Detroit. Baldischwiler immediately started all 14 games he played for the Colts in 1983 and later returned to start additional games for Indianapolis, giving the Colts the clear advantage.

Detroit traded wide receiver Tracy Porter to Baltimore on August 29, 1983 for a 1984 late-round choice that became No. 259, William Frizzell. Porter immediately caught 28 passes for 384 yards in 1983, then added 39 receptions for 590 yards in 1984. Frizzell played 24 games for Detroit without a start before building more of his career elsewhere, giving the Colts the better team-specific return.

Detroit and Indianapolis exchanged Alvin Moore and Robbie Martin on July 25, 1985. Moore gave the Lions useful backfield production, including 221 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns and one receiving score in 1985. Martin contributed as a receiver and return option for Indianapolis but did not become a major long-term piece. Neither club created a large enough advantage to separate the deal decisively.

Indianapolis conditionally acquired defensive back Demetrious Johnson from Detroit for a 1989 twelfth-round pick, but Colts records mark the selection as tied to an unmet condition. The pick was therefore not exercised, and Johnson did not appear in a regular-season game for Indianapolis before playing three games for Miami in 1987. With no durable value transferred, the result is even.

Detroit acquired Derrick Ramsey from Indianapolis in September 1987 for the 1988 twelfth-round pick that became No. 308 Aatron Kenney. Ramsey appeared only briefly for the Lions, while the late selection did not produce a major Colts return. With limited realized value on both sides, the trade belongs near the middle of the grading scale.

Indianapolis moved down from No. 75 to No. 85 in the 2020 draft and received picks No. 149 and No. 182. The Colts selected Julian Blackmon and Danny Pinter before later trading No. 182. Detroit used No. 75 on Jonah Jackson and No. 197 on John Penisini. Jackson became a high-level starting guard, while Blackmon developed into a multi-year starting safety.