Indianapolis moved from No. 6 to No. 4 before the 1986 draft…
Indianapolis moved from No. 6 to No. 4 before the 1986 draft and selected defensive lineman Jon Hand, sending New Orleans No. 6 and No. 60. Hand became a nine-year Colt with 35.5 sacks, so Indianapolis received a good player. New Orleans, however, drafted Jim Dombrowski and Pat Swilling; Swilling became Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowler, giving the Saints the superior return.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1986 first round pick (#4-Jon Hand)
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1986 first round pick (#6-Jim Dombrowski)
- pick 1986 third round pick (#60-Pat Swilling)
Trade Analysis
Why Indianapolis Moved Up
The Colts traded picks No. 6 and No. 60 to New Orleans on April 18, 1986 for the fourth overall selection. Indianapolis used No. 4 on Alabama defensive lineman Jon Hand, prioritizing one premium prospect over the chance to retain a high third-round choice.
What Indianapolis Received
Hand was a successful Colt by ordinary first-round standards. He spent nine seasons with the franchise, played 121 NFL games and recorded 35.5 sacks. That longevity and pass-rush production justify a good grade and keep this from being a case where the team moving up simply missed on its target.
What New Orleans Received
The Saints used No. 6 on offensive lineman Jim Dombrowski and No. 60 on linebacker Pat Swilling. Dombrowski played 151 games and became a long-term fixture on the New Orleans line. Swilling was the transformative piece: 107.5 career sacks, five Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro honors and the 1991 AP Defensive Player of the Year award.
How the Value Settled
New Orleans turned one premium choice into two foundational players at different positions. Swilling alone reached a higher peak than Hand, and Dombrowski supplied the kind of long-term starting value that made the extra third-round pick unusually productive.
Final Verdict
The Saints earn an A+ and Indianapolis a B. The Colts got a good player and should not be graded as if Hand failed, but New Orleans captured both greater peak impact and greater total roster value. Swilling's awards and Dombrowski's durability make this a decisive New Orleans Saints Win despite Hand's respectable Colts career.