Indianapolis traded Pro Bowl guard Ron Solt to Philadelphia…
Indianapolis traded Pro Bowl guard Ron Solt to Philadelphia for a 1989 first-round pick and a 1990 fourth-rounder. The first became Andre Rison, who produced 820 receiving yards as a Colts rookie before becoming one of the league's premier receivers later in his career. Turning an established lineman into a first-round skill player plus another selection gave Indianapolis the stronger long-term asset return.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1989 first round pick (#22-Andre Rison)
- pick 1990 fourth round pick (#106-Rick Cunningham)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Ron Solt
Trade Analysis
Philadelphia made this trade for a clear competitive reason. Ron Solt was a proven guard who had reached the Pro Bowl with Indianapolis in 1987, and the Eagles wanted veteran line help rather than waiting for a future first-round pick to develop. Solt delivered real service. He appeared in 44 games for Philadelphia and started 42, so this was not a case of a team surrendering premium capital for a player who disappeared.
Indianapolis nevertheless received the more valuable package. The Eagles sent their 1989 first-round selection and a 1990 fourth-rounder. The first-round pick landed at No. 22, where the Colts selected Andre Rison. Rison immediately caught 52 passes for 820 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. His Indianapolis stay was brief, but his talent was obvious, and he went on to a five-Pro Bowl career with more than 10,000 receiving yards. The fourth-round choice became Rick Cunningham, adding another asset to the return.
Because Rison did not spend his prime in Indianapolis, the Colts should not receive credit as though they enjoyed his entire career. What matters is that they converted Solt into a premium young receiver with immediate production and another draft choice. Philadelphia, meanwhile, received three seasons of starting guard play from a veteran it specifically wanted.
That keeps the Eagles comfortably above a poor grade. Still, a first-round pick plus a fourth was a heavy price, and Indianapolis realized more upside from the exchange. The Colts win on asset value and the quality of the young player they selected, while Philadelphia's useful starting production prevents the deal from looking remotely disastrous.