Adam Schefter dropped a bomb early Sunday morning: the San Francisco 49ers could make a serious run at Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, a guy who used to terrorize offenses for them from 2016 to 2019. This ain’t just idle chatter, folks, because according to Schefter and Ian Rapoport, NFL teams are already studying tape and figuring out how to snag players from a Colts roster that also includes stars like running back Jonathan Taylor and guard Quenton Nelson. The stakes? Massive.
Indy’s Desperate Gamble Before The Deadline
Here’s the deal: the Colts are in a bind. They’re trying to win their next three games against the Vikings, Jaguars, and Cowboys before the November 10 trade deadline. Why? Because if they pull that off, they’re hoping to claw their way back into the playoff mix, giving their coaches and players a chance to earn their keep. But if that plan goes sideways, and it’s looking pretty dicey, the Colts brass is ready to hit the reset button. That means dealing resources and building for the future, which is code for a fire sale on some serious talent.
Buckner is 32 now, but he’s playing as well as ever. He’s scheduled to be a free agent in 2027, and he’s already been paid a $10 million roster bonus this year, with another $13 million in base salary still due. He’s practically guaranteed to leave Indianapolis after this season, which means if the Colts decide to unload players, Buckner is almost certainly gone. This dude is a game-changer, no doubt about it. He’s the second-best defensive tackle with four sacks, top 10 in pressures and impact plays, and 11th in run stops. Sports Info Solutions even pegs him as the third-most valuable defensive lineman in the entire league by their points-saved metric. The 49ers wouldn’t even have to give up a first or second-round pick for him. He’s 32, so we’re not talking about a huge four-year extension, but man, he’d be an immediate boost for any contender, especially back in the Bay Area’s scheme.
Other Colts Stars Drawing Attention Across The League
While the 49ers are laser-focused on Buckner, other Colts playmakers are also on the radar. Jonathan Taylor, another stud running back, has drawn interest from teams like the Packers, Broncos, Vikings, and yep, our very own Seattle Seahawks. Imagine Taylor in a Seahawks uniform, that would be a whole different kind of backfield!
Then there’s Quenton Nelson. The guy is still one of the NFL’s best guards, only 30 years old, and also heading into the final year of his contract. He’s expressed interest in a long-term deal with Indianapolis, but their GM, Ballard, hasn’t been able to finalize a deal that would pay Nelson what he’s worth at the top of the market. Sound familiar? It’s similar to Buckner’s situation: there are plenty of playoff-worthy teams out there that desperately need a top-tier guard, and Nelson is rarely available. For the 49ers, swapping Nelson for Connor Colby would apparently make their already top-tier offense even more potent, eliminating any weak links upfront.
The Colts have three games left to prove they belong. If they can’t turn things around against the Vikings, Jaguars, and Cowboys, get ready for a feeding frenzy across the league. All eyes will be on Indy as that November 10 trade deadline looms, and frankly, I can’t wait to see what happens. This could reshape the league!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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