Denver received Baltimore's 1980 eighth-round pick, No. 197,…
Denver received Baltimore's 1980 eighth-round pick, No. 197, and used it on Don Coleman. Coleman did not develop into meaningful regular-season value for the Broncos. Since Bucky Dilts immediately handled the Colts' punting job for all 16 games in 1979, Denver ended up with the weaker direct return and receives a D+.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 1980 eighth round pick (#197- Don Coleman )
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Bucky Dilts
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Denver sent punter Bucky Dilts to Baltimore on August 21, 1979 for a 1980 eighth-round draft choice. The pick ultimately became No. 197, which Denver used on Don Coleman. This was a small special-teams-for-pick transaction, but the immediate results were easy to compare. Dilts became Baltimore's punter for the full season, while Denver did not obtain comparable regular-season value from Coleman.
Denver Broncos Return
The Broncos converted the acquired pick into Coleman, but the selection did not become a meaningful regular-season contributor for Denver. That leaves the club with little realized football value from the transaction. Because the pick was only an eighth-rounder, the miss was not particularly costly. Still, the outcome falls below neutral when the player sent away immediately filled a season-long role for the other team.
Indianapolis Colts Return
Baltimore received exactly what a team wants from a late-August specialist acquisition: an immediate solution. Dilts handled the punting job in all 16 games during the 1979 season. The contribution was limited to a specialist role and should be graded accordingly, but reliability across an entire season is real value. The Colts turned a low-value future pick into a player who solved a present roster need.
Value in Hindsight
Neither side made a franchise-altering move. The difference is that Baltimore received a full season from the player it acquired, while Denver's resulting draft pick did not generate comparable service. In a small trade, that is enough separation to produce a winner without inflating the grade. The Colts' advantage is clear, but it remains modest.
Final Verdict
Indianapolis Colts Win. The Colts earn a C+ for receiving a full season from Dilts at punter. Denver receives a D+ because the eighth-round pick used on Coleman did not create similar regular-season value.