Ranking the 7 best trades made by Colts GM Chris Ballard

#7 – Dwayne Allen traded to the Patriots (2017)

In March 2017, just days before the start of the new NFL year, the Colts traded tight end Dwayne Allen and a sixth-round pick (200th overall) to the New England Patriots for a fourth-round pick (137th overall).

The Patriots ended up trading the pick to Tennessee, who then traded it to the New York Giants to draft Adam Bisnowaty.

The Colts drafted Zach Banner, who never even saw Colts action in 2017. He was cut and then picked up by the Browns for one season. He later missed the following season before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for a few years as a rotational player.

This trade is not really noteworthy. Allen ended up being mediocre in New England, but never got as much wind as he did in Indianapolis. After two seasons in New England, he joined the practice squad in Miami, but never saw the field again.

#6 – Phillip Dorsett traded to the Patriots (2017)

After Andrew Luck went down before the season started in 2017, the Colts needed to make a move. Scott Tolzien was the backup and was not going to fare well as the starter.

The Colts make the trade to send Dorsett to the Patriots in return for Jacoby Brissett, who became the starter in Week 2. The ex-Pats gunslinger would go on to start the remainder of the season and parts of other seasons as a backup for Luck and Philip Rivers.

Eventually, Brissett was let loose, and the Colts moved on when they traded for Wentz. A very well-liked player in the locker room, the veteran was a team leader and was just a great player to be around.

Dorsett, on the other hand, has bounced around the NFL after being traded. He remained in New England for three seasons, but has since been in Houston, Jacksonville, and Seattle. He has recently signed with the Texans for a second stint in Houston.