Baltimore acquired veteran lineman Joe Schmiesing from…
Baltimore acquired veteran lineman Joe Schmiesing from Detroit on June 14, 1973 for a future fourth-round choice. Schmiesing started 11 games for the Colts that season, while Detroit later returned the trade consideration to Baltimore in the Jim O'Brien transaction. Both clubs extracted useful value from the same asset chain, supporting an even B/B result.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1974 fourth round pick (#84) [later traded to Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts for Jim O'Brien (b)]
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Joe Schmiesing
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Baltimore acquired offensive lineman Joe Schmiesing from Detroit on June 14, 1973. Colts material describes the price as a future draft choice, and the later transaction history identifies the consideration as the 1974 fourth-round asset connected to pick No. 84. Detroit subsequently sent the consideration back to Baltimore in July as part of its acquisition of Jim O'Brien, creating a short but traceable asset chain.
Baltimore Return
Schmiesing gave the Colts immediate line help. He appeared in 14 games in 1973 and started 11, providing a full season of regular offensive-line work. That is meaningful value from a mid-round future choice, particularly because the player stepped directly into the lineup. His Baltimore tenure was brief, so the return was useful rather than transformational, but the Colts clearly received the kind of immediate service they sought.
Detroit Return
Detroit did not simply hold the future pick until draft day. The Lions used the consideration from the Schmiesing trade in their July 1973 deal with Baltimore for Jim O'Brien. That conversion means the Detroit side should be judged as retained transaction value rather than as the eventual player at pick No. 84. The asset remained useful enough to facilitate another veteran acquisition, even though the chain ultimately circled back to the Colts.
Final Verdict
The trade remains even. Baltimore received a full season and 11 starts from Schmiesing, while Detroit retained and redeployed the draft consideration in another player transaction. B grades for both clubs recognize that each side obtained practical value and that the available record does not establish a clear winner.