Buffalo Bills received 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy…
Buffalo Bills received 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy Witt) from Indianapolis Colts, sending Matt Kofler the other way. Neither return created meaningful long-term value, making an even grade reasonable. That outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy Witt)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Matt Kofler
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1985-08-14, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts completed a deal in which Buffalo Bills received 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy Witt), while Indianapolis Colts received Matt Kofler. The comparison focuses on what each original club actually obtained from the exchange. Later asset movement matters only when it clarifies the value attached to something that changed hands.
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo Bills received 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy Witt) from Indianapolis Colts, sending Matt Kofler the other way. Neither return created meaningful long-term value, making an even grade reasonable. That outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.
Indianapolis Colts Return
Indianapolis Colts received Matt Kofler from Buffalo Bills, sending 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy Witt) the other way. Neither return created meaningful long-term value, making an even grade reasonable. That outcome supports a C grade for Indianapolis Colts, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.
Value in Hindsight
Buffalo traded quarterback Matt Kofler to Indianapolis on August 14, 1985 for an eleventh-round 1986 selection, which became No. 282 Billy Witt. Kofler appeared in five games and made one Colts start with modest passing production, while Witt played only two NFL games. Neither return created meaningful long-term value, making an even grade reasonable. If a draft choice was moved again, the later trail can explain what the original consideration became, but unrelated success after another transaction is not credited twice. Where one historical detail remains uncertain, the evaluation uses the strongest supported description instead of filling the gap with speculation.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Buffalo Bills receives C, while Indianapolis Colts receives C. The even call reflects the absence of a durable supported advantage for either original club. The grades remain proportional to the size and certainty of the exchange, rewarding real value while keeping a measured distinction between a clear edge and an overwhelming win.