Baltimore sent defensive back Mike Washington to expansion…
Baltimore sent defensive back Mike Washington to expansion Tampa Bay for a 1976 third-round choice and cash. The Colts used the selection on Ron Lee, but Washington became a foundational Buccaneer, playing 100 games with 97 starts and intercepting 28 passes. Baltimore received legitimate consideration, yet Tampa Bay obtained the far more valuable long-term contributor.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1976 third round pick (#90-Ron Lee)
- other cash
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Mike Washington
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On April 2, 1976, Tampa Bay acquired defensive back Mike Washington from Baltimore for a third-round choice in the 1976 draft and cash. Colts historical material and transaction records identify the selection as No. 90, used on Ron Lee. For a new franchise trying to build an NFL-caliber roster quickly, Washington represented proven defensive talent rather than another developmental pick.
What Baltimore Received
The Colts received a meaningful draft asset and additional cash, so they were not empty-handed. Baltimore used the third-rounder on Lee. That return gave the organization a standard form of future value for a veteran it was willing to move, but it did not grow into an impact comparable with Washington's years in Tampa Bay.
What Tampa Bay Received
Washington became a genuine building block. The Buccaneers' own retrospective credits him with 100 games, 97 starts and 28 interceptions for the franchise. Those numbers are especially valuable in the context of an expansion team that needed reliable starters while its roster matured. Tampa Bay paid a third-round choice, but it received years of starting-caliber secondary play.
Why the Value Landed Here
The comparison favors Tampa Bay because the acquired player supplied both longevity and production. Expansion clubs often paid for veteran competence, and this was one of the instances where the strategy worked. Baltimore's pick and cash return was reasonable, but it did not produce value on the same scale as nearly 100 starts in the Buccaneers' secondary.
Final Verdict
Tampa Bay receives an A and Baltimore receives a C. Washington became a foundational early Buccaneer and easily justified the third-round investment. The Colts received fair consideration, but Tampa Bay secured the clearly superior realized football value.