New York moved up from No. 30 to No. 22 in the 2001 draft and…
New York moved up from No. 30 to No. 22 in the 2001 draft and selected cornerback Will Allen, sending Indianapolis picks No. 30, 91 and 193. Allen became a five-year Giants starter and delivered useful value. Indianapolis used No. 30 on Reggie Wayne, who became a franchise great and Super Bowl champion, making the Colts’ return decisively stronger.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 2001 1st round pick (30th overall, Reggie Wayne ), 2001 3rd round pick (91st overall, Cory Bird ) and 2001 6th round pick (193rd overall, Jason Doering )
New York Giants Received
- pick 2001 1st round pick (22nd overall, Will Allen )
Trade Analysis
The Documented Exchange
On April 21, 2001, the Giants acquired Indianapolis’ first-round selection at No. 22 and used it on Syracuse cornerback Will Allen. In return, the Colts received New York’s first-rounder at No. 30, third-rounder at No. 91 and sixth-rounder at No. 193. Indianapolis selected Reggie Wayne at No. 30, Cory Bird at No. 91 and Jason Doering at No. 193. The transaction is consistently listed from both teams’ perspectives, so the exchange and date are well established.
What New York Received
Allen was not a bust. He immediately became a starting cornerback and started 71 of 72 regular-season games he played for the Giants from 2001 through 2005. During that five-year run he recorded eight interceptions and gave New York durable, above-average starting value at a premium defensive position. That production supports a respectable grade even though the Giants paid three selections to move eight spots in the first round.
What Indianapolis Received
Wayne transformed the trade. He spent all 14 of his NFL seasons with Indianapolis, catching 1,070 passes for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns while earning six Pro Bowl selections. He also helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI and later entered the franchise’s Ring of Honor. Bird and Doering did not approach that impact, but Indianapolis did not need either extra selection to become the clear winner because Wayne alone delivered Hall-of-Fame-caliber production and extraordinary longevity.
Final Verdict
The Giants received a legitimate five-year starter, so their side deserves more credit than the old thin grade suggested. Still, the Colts turned the move down into one of the defining receivers in franchise history while also collecting two additional picks. Wayne’s career value, championship contribution and longevity overwhelm Allen’s solid tenure. Indianapolis earns an A+; New York receives a B- for acquiring a useful starter at a very high realized opportunity cost.