Indianapolis Colts–New England Patriots Trade History
TradeVerdicts records 6 trades between
Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots across 1971–2020. Historical
franchise identities are normalized to the current franchises here,
while each underlying trade keeps its own sourced date, assets,
grades, and verdict.
This page includes every public TradeVerdicts record in which both
current franchises participate. Multi-team trades remain in the
chronology when both clubs are part of the transaction.
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Complete Matchup Chronology
6 Recorded Trades
Oldest to newest
Trade 1
September 27, 1971
New England Patriots Win
Indianapolis ColtsC-
New England PatriotsC+
Indianapolis Colts received
1972 fifth round pick (#115-Don Croft)
New England Patriots received
Ron Gardin
Baltimore sent defensive back and returner Ron Gardin to New England for the fifth-round choice that became No. 115 in the 1972 draft, where the Colts selected Don Croft. Gardin supplied the Patriots with immediate 1971 playing time, while Croft never produced regular-season value for Baltimore. That modest but real contribution gives New England the better side of a small trade.
1974 sixth round pick (#140-Dan Rhodes / Danny Rhodes)
cash
New England Patriots received
Jack Mildren
Indianapolis received a sixth-round choice that became Danny Rhodes plus cash, while New England acquired quarterback Jack Mildren. Rhodes appeared in 14 games as a rookie, and Mildren never developed into a long-term answer for the Patriots. Neither return became a franchise-changing piece, but the Colts extracted both draft capital and cash from a player who provided New England limited on-field value.
Indianapolis acquired linebacker Tim Golden from New England on August 2, 1985 for a conditional 1986 tenth-round pick. Golden did not appear in a Colts regular-season game and was waived before the season, after which Philadelphia claimed him. The conditional pick was not exercised, leaving both franchises with no realized regular-season or draft value from the exchange.
New England acquired tight end Dwayne Allen and pick No. 200 from Indianapolis for the 137th pick in the 2017 draft. Allen spent two seasons with the Patriots, appearing in 29 regular-season games and serving primarily as a blocking tight end on teams that reached consecutive Super Bowls and won Super Bowl LIII. Indianapolis selected Zach Banner at No. 137 but waived him before he played a regular-season game for the Colts.
Indianapolis and New England swapped former high draft picks at roster cuts in 2017, with Jacoby Brissett going to the Colts and Phillip Dorsett to the Patriots. Brissett became Indianapolis' emergency starter almost immediately and ultimately made 30 starts across four seasons. Dorsett contributed as a rotational receiver for three New England seasons and earned a Super Bowl LIII ring, but Brissett delivered the larger team-specific role.
2020 6th round pick (213th overall, Jordan Glasgow)
New England Patriots received
2020 6th round pick (182nd overall, Michael Onwenu)
Indianapolis traded the 182nd pick to New England for selections 212 and 213, using them on Dezmon Patmon and Jordan Glasgow. The Patriots selected Michael Onwenu at No. 182. Patmon and Glasgow filled limited roles, while Onwenu became one of New England's best offensive linemen, starting at guard and tackle and eventually earning a multi-year contract to remain with the Patriots. New England won decisively.
