Indianapolis sent pick No. 179 and a 2023 third-rounder to…
Indianapolis sent pick No. 179 and a 2023 third-rounder to Denver to move back into the 2022 third round for safety Nick Cross at No. 96. Cross grew from a young special-teams contributor into a productive starting safety, giving the Colts a durable defensive payoff. Denver later used the future third on Drew Sanders, but his early return did not match Cross's established role in Indianapolis.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2022 5th round pick (179th overall subsequently traded, Kingsley Enagbare )
- pick 2023 3rd round pick (67th overall, Drew Sanders)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 2022 3rd round pick (96th overall, Nick Cross )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Indianapolis traded the 179th pick in 2022 and a 2023 third-round selection to Denver for No. 96. The Colts immediately drafted Maryland safety Nick Cross. Denver later held the 2023 choice at No. 67 and selected linebacker Drew Sanders, while the 2022 fifth-rounder became part of the Broncos' separate move up for Luke Wattenberg. The deal therefore asks whether Indianapolis paid too much to secure a young safety before Day 2 ended.
Why Indianapolis Came Out Ahead
Cross eventually justified the aggressive move. He entered the league exceptionally young, contributed early on special teams, and then developed into a full-time defensive starter with the range and tackling production Indianapolis envisioned. The important point is not that he starred immediately; it is that the Colts acquired a player who grew into a core secondary role and remained on the field extensively once his development caught up to his athletic profile.
How Denver Fared
Denver's process created two pieces of draft capital and preserved flexibility. Sanders offered athletic upside at linebacker, and the 2022 fifth-rounder helped Denver maneuver again the following day. Yet the return has not produced a player with Cross's established defensive workload. Trading down is valuable only if the added capital turns into comparable impact, and the Colts' target became the clearest long-term contributor attached to this specific exchange.
Final Verdict
Indianapolis earns an A- and Denver a C+. The Colts paid a real premium, so this is not a bargain in acquisition cost. Still, Cross developed into exactly the kind of young starting defender that makes an aggressive draft move worthwhile. Denver collected attractive capital but has not matched that realized impact, giving Indianapolis the win.