Dallas traded offensive lineman Steve Wright to Baltimore in…
Dallas traded offensive lineman Steve Wright to Baltimore in August 1983 for a 1985 sixth-round pick. Wright immediately started 10 games for the Colts in 1983 and nine more in 1984, giving Baltimore two seasons of useful line play. Dallas used No. 144 on Kurt Ploeger, whose NFL career totaled only five games and one start, leaving the Colts with the stronger direct return.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1985 sixth round pick (#144-Kurt Ploeger)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Steve Wright (H.)
Trade Analysis
Why Baltimore Added Wright
The Colts were looking for offensive-line help late in the 1983 preseason and acquired Steve Wright from Dallas on August 27. The cost was a 1985 sixth-round selection, so Baltimore obtained an experienced player without sacrificing a current draft asset.
What the Colts Received
Wright stepped into a real role immediately. He appeared in 13 games and started 10 for Baltimore in 1983, then played 12 games with nine starts for Indianapolis in 1984. Nineteen starts across two seasons is meaningful value for a player acquired at the end of training camp, especially at the price of a future sixth-rounder.
How Dallas Used the Pick
The Cowboys eventually used the selection, No. 144 in 1985, on offensive lineman Kurt Ploeger. His NFL career consisted of only five games and one start. He did not become a significant Dallas contributor, so the delayed draft return failed to match the immediate starting value Wright provided the Colts.
Why the Colts Win
Dallas may have been comfortable moving a player who was not central to its plans, and a future sixth-round pick was reasonable compensation. In hindsight, however, Baltimore converted that modest asset into 19 starts while the Cowboys received almost no comparable professional production from the selected player.
Final Verdict
The Colts earn a B and Dallas a D+. Wright was not a franchise cornerstone, but two seasons of starting work made the trade worthwhile. Ploeger's brief career leaves the Cowboys with a much smaller realized return. The price-to-production balance clearly favors Baltimore.