Indianapolis gave Philadelphia a 2006 fourth-round pick to…
Indianapolis gave Philadelphia a 2006 fourth-round pick to acquire the 148th selection in 2005 and draft defensive end Jonathan Welsh. Welsh appeared in only six games for the Colts. Philadelphia carried the future fourth into the 2006 draft and used it in a sequence of trades that helped create more roster value, giving the Eagles the better return from a patient move.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 2005 5th round pick (148th overall, Jonathan Welsh)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2006 4th round pick (127th overall, later traded; Ray Edwards selected)
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
The Colts wanted another defensive-line prospect for a roster built to contend immediately and were willing to spend a future fourth-round choice to obtain pick 148 in the 2005 draft. Philadelphia had accumulated selections and could defer value into the next year. That difference in timing created a simple draft-capital trade: Indianapolis bought the present, while the Eagles accepted a higher future round.
What the Returns Produced
Indianapolis used pick 148 on Jonathan Welsh. He appeared in six games as a rookie and recorded only a small defensive contribution before his Colts tenure ended. Philadelphia's 2006 fourth-rounder became pick 127. The Eagles later packaged that choice with Artis Hicks in a trade with Minnesota, receiving picks that were immediately used in another move to climb for wide receiver Jason Avant.
How the Value Developed
It would overstate the case to credit the entire Avant career to this single fourth-rounder because Philadelphia added another player and moved multiple picks in the later chain. Still, the acquired choice remained useful and helped the Eagles create options, whereas Welsh generated almost no on-field return for Indianapolis. The difference between a flexible fourth-round asset and six games of reserve play is substantial.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Future picks can look abstract on draft day, but this exchange shows why patient teams value them. Indianapolis paid a round premium to accelerate one selection and did not get the player development needed to justify it. Philadelphia preserved that value for a later draft and ultimately used it as part of productive roster maneuvering.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win is the best fit. Indianapolis Colts earns a D, while Philadelphia Eagles earns a B-. Those grades reflect the cost paid, the direct production received, the length and quality of each contribution, and any important downstream value created from draft capital.