Colts Trade FB Chris Gronkowski To Bronocs For CB Cassius Vaughn

We've written a great deal on how the Colts cornerback situation is pretty dire. Apparently, management seems to agree, at least on some level. Today, the Colts sent FB Chris Gronkowski to the Broncos in exchange for CB Cassius Vaughn. The move provides former-Colts QB Peyton Manning with yet another old teammate in Denver. It also gives Manning his own "Gronk" to compete with Tom Brady's (though, Rob Gronkowki is a tad bit better than Chris, would you say?).

For the Colts, Vaughn is a duel dual threat at corner and as a returner. Evan Silva of PFT and Rotoworld noted today that Vaughn ran a 4.3 at his Pro Day in 2010, and had a 55-yard pick six for the Broncos last year. He started three games for the Broncos in 2009, earning four passes defended and 20 tackles to go with his pick six.

According to Tom James, Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson was impressed with Vaughn's speed:

GM Ryan Grigson on the addition of CB Cassius Vaughn: "When you turn on the film you instantly recognize his athletic ability and speed."

— Tom James (@TribStarTJames) May 23, 2012

Paul Kuharsky of ESPN posted this Scouts Inc. breakdown on Vaughn:

Vaughn is a good-sized corner with above-average top end speed and adequate agility, acceleration and body control. He flashes good strength as a tackler but has a tendency to duck his head and lunge when tackling in space.

Vaughn was viewed by many to be Denver's kick returner in 2012, a position that has less value than a punt returner in today's game. Vaughn's real value in Indy will be at corner, where the team is woefully thin. I'm not saying he'll be the next Revis, but sending a fullback to Denver in exchange for some depth that corner was a no-brainer move. I don't feel good about the corner depth, but I at least feel better.