Buffalo sent Dwight Harrison to the Colts in August 1978 and…
Buffalo sent Dwight Harrison to the Colts in August 1978 and received a 1979 sixth-round pick, No. 141, plus cash. The draft choice became Mike Burrow, giving the Bills a traceable piece of future roster value in addition to the cash return. Buffalo's conversion of a veteran into multiple forms of compensation supports a B against the Colts' C+.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1979 sixth round pick (#141-Mike Burrow)
- other cash
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Dwight Harrison
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Buffalo traded defensive back Dwight Harrison to the Colts on August 28, 1978. In return, the Bills received a 1979 sixth-round draft choice plus cash. Historical draft records identify the selection as No. 141, later used on Mike Burrow. The package is therefore more specific than a generic future-pick return.
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo converted a veteran player into both immediate financial consideration and a future draft asset. The sixth-round choice became Burrow, giving the Bills a concrete roster opportunity rather than an untraceable pick. Neither part of the return was enormous by itself, but together they represent sensible asset recovery and support a B grade for Buffalo.
Indianapolis Colts Return
The Colts received Harrison, an established defensive back who provided the direct player value in the deal. That was a legitimate roster acquisition and deserves positive credit, but it did not create enough separation to outweigh Buffalo's combined pick-and-cash return. A C+ reflects useful veteran value without treating the move as a major win.
Value in Hindsight
This was a modest trade, so the grades should stay proportional to its scale. Buffalo's advantage comes from extracting two forms of consideration and turning the draft component into an identifiable selection. Indianapolis obtained a real player, which keeps the Colts from receiving a poor grade, but the Bills' return was slightly more flexible and durable.
Final Verdict
Buffalo Bills Win. Buffalo earns a B and Indianapolis earns a C+. The Bills did a little more with the exchange by securing both cash and a traceable future draft choice.