Baltimore received Joe Washington and a 1979 fifth-round…
Baltimore received Joe Washington and a 1979 fifth-round pick. Washington immediately rushed for a career-high 958 yards in 1978, then led the NFL with 82 receptions in 1979 while adding 884 rushing yards. The fifth-round asset later helped Baltimore acquire quarterback Greg Landry. The hindsight grade is A-, with the overall verdict recorded as Indianapolis Colts Win.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Joe Washington (b)
- pick 1979 fifth round pick (#131) [later traded with 1979 fourth round pick (#88-Ulysses Norris) and 1980 third round pick (#62-Mike Friede) to Detroit Lions for Greg Landry]
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Lydell Mitchell
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts received Joe Washington (b) and 1979 fifth round pick (#131) [later traded with 1979 fourth round pick (#88-Ulysses Norris) and 1980 third round pick (#62-Mike Friede) to Detroit Lions for Greg Landry], while San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers received Lydell Mitchell. The deal is judged by what those assets actually produced after the exchange, including supported downstream draft outcomes.
What Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts Received
Baltimore received Joe Washington and a 1979 fifth-round pick. Washington immediately rushed for a career-high 958 yards in 1978, then led the NFL with 82 receptions in 1979 while adding 884 rushing yards. The fifth-round asset later helped Baltimore acquire quarterback Greg Landry.
What San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers Received
San Diego acquired Lydell Mitchell after his contract dispute with Baltimore. Mitchell was an accomplished veteran and gave the Chargers backfield experience, but his post-trade value did not match Washington's immediate two-way production plus the additional draft asset.
How the Value Developed
Washington's 1978 and 1979 seasons make the hindsight gap clear. Baltimore received a younger multipurpose back at the start of his best stretch and also retained a pick that became part of another meaningful trade. That comparison focuses on the contribution each acquiring club actually received rather than treating the original draft slot or veteran reputation as value by itself.
Why the Difference Matters
This was a standard-tier transaction, so the grades should reflect the size of the practical football difference without turning a useful role player into a franchise-defining asset. Longevity, starting responsibility, production, and any well-supported downstream pick result all matter. The side with the better combination of those outcomes deserves the stronger grade, while a short or empty return remains near the middle or lower end of the scale.
Final Verdict
Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts receives a A- and San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers receives a C+. The final call is Indianapolis Colts Win. Washington's 1978 and 1979 seasons make the hindsight gap clear. Baltimore received a younger multipurpose back at the start of his best stretch and also retained a pick that became part of another meaningful trade.