Indianapolis and Baltimore exchanged two players on the edge…
Indianapolis and Baltimore exchanged two players on the edge of their respective rosters in August 2013: the Colts received receiver and returner David Reed, while the Ravens acquired running back Delone Carter. Neither side produced lasting value. Baltimore waived Carter before the regular season, and Indianapolis waived Reed in November after a limited special-teams role. With no draft capital involved and little meaningful production, an even grade fits.
Baltimore Ravens Received
- player Delone Carter
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player David Reed
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Both teams were dealing from crowded position groups late in the 2013 preseason. Indianapolis had several running backs competing behind its top options, while Baltimore had a surplus of receivers and returners. The clubs swapped Delone Carter for David Reed, giving each player a fresh opportunity without involving draft compensation.
What Each Side Received
Baltimore brought in Carter as competition for a reserve running-back job behind Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. His stay was extremely short. The Ravens waived him on August 29 during roster reductions. Indianapolis added Reed as a receiver and kickoff-return option, hoping his special-teams background could provide a role.
How the Return Aged
Reed lasted into the regular season, but his impact remained modest. The Colts waived him on November 25. Carter never appeared in a regular-season game for Baltimore after the trade. That means neither club generated meaningful long-term production, a future asset, or a player who became central to a later transaction.
Why the Margin Matters
Indianapolis technically received more regular-season use because Reed stayed on the roster for part of the year, but the advantage is too small to justify a directional verdict. Baltimore’s side ended before Week 1, while Indianapolis’s return was still replacement-level and temporary. The deal functioned mainly as a mutual preseason roster adjustment.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Both teams receive a C. The Colts got a brief special-teams option and the Ravens got a short-lived running-back tryout, but neither side surrendered meaningful future value or received enough production to create a lasting advantage.