Baltimore sent Charlie Shepard to Pittsburgh in 1956 and…
Baltimore sent Charlie Shepard to Pittsburgh in 1956 and received the Steelers’ 1957 16th-round pick, No. 185, which became Joe Cannavino. Shepard played all 12 games for Pittsburgh that season and contributed as a runner, receiver, and punter. Cannavino never played a regular-season game for the Colts, so the Steelers won a low-stakes exchange through immediate usable production.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1957 16th round pick (#185- Joe Cannavino )
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Baltimore dealt halfback Charlie Shepard to Pittsburgh in August 1956 for a very late future selection. Colts draft history and Pro Football Reference identify the compensation as the Steelers’ 1957 16th-round pick, No. 185 overall. Baltimore used it on Ohio State defensive back Joe Cannavino. For the Colts, the move converted a player into future draft inventory; Pittsburgh was buying inexpensive veteran depth for the upcoming season.
What Pittsburgh Received
Shepard appeared in all 12 Steelers games in 1956. His offensive numbers were modest, but he contributed in several roles: rushing, receiving and punting. That kind of utility had real value on 1950s rosters, particularly at the cost of a 16th-round selection. His Pittsburgh stay lasted only one season, so this was never a franchise-changing acquisition, but the Steelers did receive the immediate depth they purchased.
What Baltimore Received
Cannavino did not produce regular-season value for the Colts. He later played professional football with the New York Titans and Buffalo Bills, but those seasons did not benefit Baltimore. The draft choice therefore produced no realized Colts return even though selecting a future professional player in the 16th round was not itself unreasonable. The problem for the trade grade is that the club never captured that eventual career value.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh Steelers Win, modestly. The price was a very late selection, and Shepard delivered a full season of multi-role service. Baltimore used the pick on a player with professional ability but received no regular-season contribution from him. Pittsburgh earns a C+ because the transaction worked exactly as a low-cost depth move should. Indianapolis/Baltimore earns a D+ because the pick failed to produce team value. The narrow scale of the assets keeps this far from a major win despite the clear direction.
Shepard's full season supplied Pittsburgh the clearest direct value.