Pittsburgh moved from No. 49 to No. 44 in the 1993 second…
Pittsburgh moved from No. 49 to No. 44 in the 1993 second round, sending Indianapolis No. 49 and No. 107. The Steelers selected linebacker Chad Brown, who became a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh. Indianapolis landed running back Roosevelt Potts and linebacker Devon McDonald, both useful players. The Colts received real value, but Brown's peak and impact make Pittsburgh the clear winner.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1993 2nd round pick (49th overall, Roosevelt Potts)
- pick 1993 4th round pick (107th overall, Devon McDonald)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1993 2nd round pick (44th overall, Chad Brown)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Pittsburgh targeted linebacker Chad Brown in the second round of the 1993 draft and moved from No. 49 to No. 44, sending Indianapolis an additional fourth-round pick at No. 107. The Steelers' own historical trade record confirms the two-for-one package. Indianapolis accepted the move down and created two roster opportunities, while Pittsburgh concentrated its capital on a defender it believed was worth securing before another team could select him.
What Each Team Received
Brown rewarded the move. During his Pittsburgh tenure he developed into a high-impact linebacker, and in 1996 he recorded 13 sacks, earned a Pro Bowl selection and was named first-team All-Pro. Indianapolis used No. 49 on Roosevelt Potts, who became a productive runner and fullback and finished with 1,475 career rushing yards. The Colts used No. 107 on Devon McDonald, who played 63 NFL games and provided additional linebacker depth.
How the Value Developed
Indianapolis' return was solid enough to merit a positive grade. Potts gave the Colts legitimate offensive production, and McDonald reached a multi-year NFL role. Brown nevertheless provided the most valuable single asset by a wide margin because premium pass-rush and linebacker impact carries more weight than two complementary contributors. Pittsburgh's move-up also cost only a fourth-round selection, a manageable premium for a player who reached first-team All-Pro level with the acquiring club.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Pittsburgh earns an A for paying a modest move-up cost and landing an All-Pro defender who produced at a high level in Pittsburgh. Indianapolis earns a B- because Potts and McDonald both supplied real NFL value, preventing the trade from becoming one-sided in absolute terms. The verdict is still clear: Brown's peak performance and positional impact exceeded the combined return the Colts realized from the two picks.