The Colts acquired Don Hardeman, who gave Baltimore two…
The Colts acquired Don Hardeman, who gave Baltimore two seasons of backfield work. He rushed for 244 yards in 1978 and 292 in 1979, useful production but a much smaller return than the multi-year workload Tampa Bay received from Eckwood. The hindsight grade is C+, with the overall verdict recorded as Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Don Hardeman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- pick 1979 third round pick (#60-Jerry Eckwood)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts received Don Hardeman, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received 1979 third round pick (#60-Jerry Eckwood). The deal is judged by what those assets actually produced after the exchange, including supported downstream draft outcomes.
What Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts Received
The Colts acquired Don Hardeman, who gave Baltimore two seasons of backfield work. He rushed for 244 yards in 1978 and 292 in 1979, useful production but a much smaller return than the multi-year workload Tampa Bay received from Eckwood.
What Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
Tampa Bay received the 1979 third-round pick that became running back Jerry Eckwood. Eckwood played 47 games with 30 starts for the Buccaneers, rushing for 1,845 yards and adding 956 receiving yards across three seasons, including the franchise's breakthrough 1979 playoff year.
How the Value Developed
Tampa Bay converted one veteran running back into a younger runner who became a regular contributor for three seasons. Indianapolis received real service from Hardeman, but the volume and duration were clearly lower. That comparison focuses on the contribution each acquiring club actually received rather than treating the original draft slot or veteran reputation as value by itself.
Why the Difference Matters
This was a standard-tier transaction, so the grades should reflect the size of the practical football difference without turning a useful role player into a franchise-defining asset. Longevity, starting responsibility, production, and any well-supported downstream pick result all matter. The side with the better combination of those outcomes deserves the stronger grade, while a short or empty return remains near the middle or lower end of the scale.
Final Verdict
Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts receives a C+ and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receives a B+. The final call is Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win. Tampa Bay converted one veteran running back into a younger runner who became a regular contributor for three seasons. Indianapolis received real service from Hardeman, but the volume and duration were clearly lower.