Indianapolis Colts–New Orleans Saints Trade History

New Orleans sent Bill Curry, the No. 1 overall pick, a 1967 third-round pick and a 1969 seventh-rounder to Baltimore for quarterback Gary Cuozzo, Buford Allison and a 1967 seventeenth-round pick. Baltimore used No. 1 on Bubba Smith and also gained Curry, both future All-Pro-level starters on Super Bowl teams. Cuozzo lasted one Saints season before being traded again.

Baltimore sent running back Tony Lorick to New Orleans for the Saints' 1969 second-round pick. The choice became Ted Hendricks at No. 33, a future Hall of Fame linebacker who played 215 consecutive games, reached eight Pro Bowls and helped the Colts win Super Bowl V. Lorick's Saints career lasted two seasons and produced only limited offensive value, creating a massive imbalance.

Baltimore acquired guard John Shinners from New Orleans in January 1972 for defensive back Jim Duncan, the 1972 fifth-round choice used on Bob Davies and the 1973 sixth-round choice later associated with Doug Kingsriter. Shinners remained with the Colts only until October before Baltimore traded him again, giving the club some recoverable value but not a lasting starter from the original exchange.

Baltimore acquired the No. 2 pick in the 1973 draft from New Orleans and used it on quarterback Bert Jones, sending defensive lineman Billy Newsome and the No. 86 selection, Jim Merlo, to the Saints. Jones became the 1976 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and led Baltimore's resurgence. The Saints received useful pieces, but nothing close to a franchise quarterback at his peak.

Baltimore acquired tackle Tom Drougas from New Orleans for a future fourth-round pick, with contemporary material identifying it as a 1975 selection while later accounts differ on the year. The Colts moved Drougas to Denver only six days later for an eighth-round choice. That quick downgrade left Baltimore with less value than it paid and gives New Orleans the stronger side.

Baltimore acquired Howard Stevens from New Orleans for a 1977 fifth-round pick and received three seasons of useful return work. Stevens handled 109 punt returns for 1,012 yards with the Colts and added substantial kickoff-return production, especially in 1976. New Orleans used the No. 136 selection on Dave Hubbard, whose NFL career lasted only five games. Baltimore received the clearly stronger result.

Indianapolis moved from No. 6 to No. 4 before the 1986 draft and selected defensive lineman Jon Hand, sending New Orleans No. 6 and No. 60. Hand became a nine-year Colt with 35.5 sacks, so Indianapolis received a good player. New Orleans, however, drafted Jim Dombrowski and Pat Swilling; Swilling became Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowler, giving the Saints the superior return.

Indianapolis and New Orleans swapped linebacker Andre Royal for tight end Scott Slutzker at the end of the 1998 preseason. Royal stepped directly into the Colts defense, appearing in 13 games with nine starts that season and making 51 tackles. Slutzker played only three games for New Orleans in 1998 and 11 in 1999. Indianapolis received the more substantial immediate return.

Indianapolis moved up 20 spots in the fifth round for guard Matt Johnson, sending New Orleans picks No. 158 and No. 195. Johnson never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The Saints used No. 158 on tight end Austin Wheatley and No. 195 on defensive back Michael Hawthorne; Hawthorne played 63 career games and made 19 starts. That usable sixth-round return gives New Orleans the win.

Indianapolis acquired running back Ricky Williams from New Orleans at the 2002 roster cutdown for a 2003 seventh-round pick. This was the former Texas Tech back, not the star running back with the same name. Williams gave the Colts modest depth over two seasons, totaling 190 rushing yards, 177 receiving yards and four touchdowns. New Orleans received a late pick that was later moved. Neither side generated enough value for a clear win.

Indianapolis traded pick No. 206 for Nos. 218 and 229, selecting quarterback Sam Ehlinger and receiver Mike Strachan. Ehlinger appeared in eight games and made three starts for the Colts, while Strachan played 23 games and caught six passes for 130 yards. The Colts created two roster chances, but neither player became a sustained starter, leaving the return useful mainly as depth.