Baltimore sent defensive end Roy Hilton to New York on June…
Baltimore sent defensive end Roy Hilton to New York on June 11, 1974, for running back Joe Orduna and a 1975 sixth-round pick that became Don Westbrook. Hilton immediately started all 14 games for the Giants in 1974. Orduna had only a tiny offensive role for the Colts, and Westbrook did not become a meaningful Baltimore contributor, giving New York the stronger return.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Joe Orduna
- pick 1975 sixth-round pick (No. 131, Don Westbrook)
New York Giants Received
- player Roy Hilton
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The Colts traded Roy Hilton to the Giants on June 11, 1974. Baltimore received running back Joe Orduna plus New York's sixth-round pick in the 1975 draft, No. 131, later used on Don Westbrook. Colts historical material and the draft-transfer record agree on those terms. The completed package therefore was Hilton for one veteran player and one mid-to-late-round selection.
Baltimore's Return
Orduna appeared in all 14 games for the Colts in 1974 but had almost no offensive workload, finishing with only two rushing attempts for three yards, though one carry produced a touchdown. He did not become a long-term Baltimore piece. Westbrook was a legitimate sixth-round selection, but his notable NFL receiving production came later outside Baltimore rather than as a Colts return. The Colts acquired two assets, yet neither developed into sustained team value.
New York's Return
Hilton gave the Giants immediate defensive stability. He started all 14 regular-season games in 1974, providing a full season of lineup value at defensive end. His Giants tenure did not last long enough to create a major multi-year win, which caps the grade. Still, a complete season of starts is more useful than the limited Baltimore production generated by Orduna and the downstream pick.
Value in Hindsight
Baltimore's side looked reasonable because it combined a player with a draft choice, but quantity alone does not determine the result. The Colts never converted either asset into a comparable stretch of team contribution. New York received exactly what teams seek in a veteran acquisition: a player capable of stepping directly into the starting lineup. The advantage is real but moderate because Hilton's stay was brief.
Final Verdict
New York Giants Win. The Giants receive a B- for gaining a full-season starter at a manageable cost. Baltimore gets a C- because two incoming assets produced little durable Colts value. The deal does not rise to landmark status, but New York clearly received the better realized football return.