NFL: The best trade in each franchise’s history

Best trade in Indianapolis Colts history: Acquiring Marvin Harrison

By the time the 1996 NFL draft came rolling around, the Indianapolis Colts saw everything that they needed to see from quarterback Jeffrey George.

Once thought to be the franchise leader, George proved to be a monumental bust. After throwing 46 interceptions to go along with just 41 touchdowns in four years, the Colts pushed George out the backdoor to the Atlanta Falcons in 1993 in exchange for a first and third-round pick in the 1994 draft and a conditional pick in the 1996 draft which turned into the 19th overall. The Colts would pick up wide receiver Marvin Harrison and the rest is history.

Even with other big-time receivers such as Terrell Owens and Randy Moss in the middle of their primes, Harrison was always considered either just as good if not better than them all. An eight-year stretch during the mid-2000s saw Harrison notch thousand-yard season after thousand-yard season. He was also amongst the games best in terms of total receptions.

Harrison was an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time First-Team All-Pro, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. He currently ranks in the top ten all-time in receiving yards, receiving TDs, and receiving yards per game.

It’s safe to say that Harrison was the best trade the Colts ever pulled off in their long history.