Indianapolis sent a 2007 sixth-round pick to Tennessee for…
Indianapolis sent a 2007 sixth-round pick to Tennessee for No. 238 in the 2006 draft and selected return specialist T.J. Rushing. The future pick became No. 206, which Tennessee used on Ryan Smith. Rushing contributed on special teams for the Colts and scored on a punt return during his tenure, while Smith did not record an NFL regular-season appearance.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 2006 7th round pick (238th overall, T.J. Rushing)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 2007 6th round pick (206th overall, Ryan Smith)
Trade Analysis
Why Indianapolis Made the Move
The Colts wanted one more selection late in the 2006 draft and obtained pick No. 238 from Tennessee in exchange for a 2007 sixth-rounder. Indianapolis used the pick on T.J. Rushing, a defensive back with return ability. Tennessee chose to defer the value for a year, a common late-round strategy when a team prefers a future asset to anyone remaining on its current board.
What Indianapolis Received
Rushing carved out a role on special teams. He handled punt returns for Indianapolis across multiple seasons and totaled 382 punt-return yards with a touchdown in the club's historical return records. He also belonged to the Colts during their Super Bowl XLI championship season. The return was not star-level value, but getting several seasons of useful specialist work from pick No. 238 is a positive outcome.
How Tennessee Fared
The future selection became the 206th pick in the 2007 draft, which Tennessee used on Ryan Smith. The draft record does not show Smith appearing in an NFL regular-season game. That left the Titans without comparable on-field value from the deferred pick. The initial decision to roll a late choice forward was reasonable, but the eventual player outcome did not pay off.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Late-round trades should be graded with modest expectations. Indianapolis did not acquire a foundational player, and Tennessee did not give up premium capital. Still, Rushing performed an identifiable role for several seasons while the Titans' selection did not produce a regular-season contributor.
Final Verdict
Indianapolis Colts Win. Indianapolis earns a C+ because Rushing supplied useful return work and roster value from the 238th pick. Tennessee receives a D because the future sixth-rounder became a player without a regular-season NFL appearance. The stakes were low, so the grade gap stays moderate, but the Colts clearly realized more football value.