Indianapolis sent defensive lineman Henry Anderson to the…

Indianapolis moved Henry Anderson during the 2018 draft after three seasons in which injuries and a changing defensive scheme had reduced his fit with the Colts. The Jets gave up only pick No. 235, a seventh-rounder, for the defensive lineman. At that price, New York’s side worked immediately. Anderson posted a career-high seven sacks in 2018, became a regular part of the front and earned a three-year contract from the Jets the following offseason.

The Colts used the acquired pick on Syracuse linebacker Zaire Franklin. His early value came mostly on special teams and in a reserve defensive role, which is already a reasonable outcome for the 235th selection. Franklin kept developing. He became a full-time starter, a team captain and one of Indianapolis’ most productive tacklers. He set franchise tackle marks, earned a multi-year extension and was named second-team All-Pro for the 2024 season.

That career arc changes the scale of the trade. New York did not lose because Anderson failed; in fact, the Jets got substantially more than most teams can expect when surrendering a seventh-round pick. His 2018 breakout and subsequent extension make the original C grade too low. A B+ better captures a smart, inexpensive acquisition that solved a defensive-line need for multiple seasons.

Indianapolis, however, converted a player who was no longer central to its plans into a late selection that became a long-term defensive leader. Franklin’s combination of longevity, captaincy, tackling production and All-Pro recognition is exceptional value at No. 235.

The Colts move to an A+ and retain the win. The Jets rise to B+. This is not a case where one side’s success requires the other side to have failed; both teams beat the normal expectation for the assets they received. Franklin’s much longer Indianapolis impact simply creates the stronger final return.