Baltimore sent Jim Carter to Pittsburgh and received the 1967…
Baltimore sent Jim Carter to Pittsburgh and received the 1967 twelfth-round choice that became No. 298 Preston Pearson. Pearson played three seasons for the Colts before continuing a long 176-game NFL career, giving Baltimore meaningful value from an extremely late selection. Carter did not provide Pittsburgh with a comparable lasting return, so the Colts converted modest draft compensation into the stronger outcome.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1967 twelfth round pick (#298- Preston Pearson )
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Jim Carter (a)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1966-06-23, Baltimore Colts received 1967 twelfth round pick (#298-Preston Pearson), while Pittsburgh Steelers received Jim Carter (a). The trade is judged by the football value each club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange. When a draft choice cannot be tied confidently to a later selection, the asset remains described at the level the historical evidence supports.
Baltimore Colts Return
Baltimore sent Jim Carter to Pittsburgh and received the 1967 twelfth-round choice that became No. 298 Preston Pearson. Pearson played three seasons for the Colts before continuing a long 176-game NFL career, giving Baltimore meaningful value from an extremely late selection. Carter did not provide Pittsburgh with a comparable lasting return, so the Colts converted modest draft compensation into the stronger outcome.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh acquired Jim Carter from Baltimore for the 1967 twelfth-round pick used on No. 298 Preston Pearson. Carter did not create lasting Steelers value, while Pearson gave the Colts three seasons before building a lengthy NFL career elsewhere. Even limiting the comparison to what Baltimore itself received, the late-round choice produced far more usable value than Pittsburgh obtained from Carter.
Value in Hindsight
Pearson's later 176-game career shows the quality of the player Baltimore found with an extremely late choice, but the Colts do not need credit for his entire career to win this comparison. He spent three seasons with Baltimore, already exceeding the lasting value Pittsburgh received from Carter. Turning a twelfth-round pick into several years of NFL service was an excellent outcome for the Colts. The B grade rewards that conversion while keeping the analysis tied to Baltimore's own return rather than later teams' benefits.
Final Verdict
The final call is Baltimore Colts Win. Baltimore Colts earns B, and Pittsburgh Steelers earns D+. Those grades reflect the supported package, the documented post-trade production, and the relative football value each side ultimately realized from this exchange.