Indianapolis acquired cornerback Justin Tryon from Washington…
Indianapolis acquired cornerback Justin Tryon from Washington for a 2011 seventh-round pick. Tryon appeared in 12 games for the Colts in 2010, started six and recorded 44 tackles with seven passes defended before a short 2011 return. Washington used No. 224 on linebacker Markus White, who played only a handful of NFL games. Indianapolis received the more substantial contribution from a very small investment.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Justin Tryon
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 2011 7th round pick (224th overall, Markus White)
Trade Analysis
Why Indianapolis Added Tryon
The Colts acquired cornerback Justin Tryon from Washington just before the 2010 season, sending a 2011 seventh-round selection in return. Indianapolis was seeking secondary depth for a team expecting to contend, and the low draft cost made the move easy to justify if Tryon could simply contribute on defense and special teams.
What Tryon Produced
Tryon quickly became more than emergency depth. He appeared in 12 games for Indianapolis in 2010 and started six, finishing with 44 tackles and seven passes defended. The Colts later described him as finishing the season in a starting role. His Indianapolis tenure did not last long into 2011, but the team still obtained meaningful regular-season snaps from a player acquired for the final round of the following draft.
What Washington Received
Washington used the 224th pick in 2011 on linebacker Markus White. White appeared in two games as a rookie and had only a brief return to Washington the following season. He finished his NFL career with five regular-season appearances and did not provide the kind of special-teams or defensive contribution that would balance Tryon's 2010 role.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Seventh-round trades should be graded on realistic expectations. Indianapolis did not need Tryon to become a long-term starter for the acquisition to succeed. Six starts and a useful season are meaningful returns from a pick near the end of the draft.
Final Verdict
Indianapolis Colts Win. The Colts receive a B- because Tryon supplied immediate secondary value for minimal cost. Washington gets a D+ because the seventh-round choice produced almost no playing contribution. The scale is small, but the value gap is clear.