NFL trade rumors: 49ers could make a run at Colts DT DeForest Buckner

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted early Sunday morning, “One team that could decide to make a run at Colts DT DeForest Buckner is the San Francisco 49ers, a team the star defensive tackle played for from 2016 through 2019, according to league sources.”

In the article, Schefter and Ian Rapoport said, “NFL teams have been studying tape and discussing scenarios, trying to figure out if there is a way to acquire players from a Colts roster that includes running back Jonathan Taylor, guard Quenton Nelson, and defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, according to sources.”

According to the article, the Colts will try to win the next three games against the Vikings, Jaguars, and Cowboys before the November 10 trade deadline to give their coaches and players a chance to earn their way into the playoff mix. If that plan doesn’t go well, the Colts brass will deal resources and build for the future.

The Packers, Seahawks, Broncos, and Vikings were teams listed as interested in Taylor.

Only one team was listed for Buckner: The 49ers:

The 49ers traded Buckner to the Colts in March 2020 for the 13th overall pick in that year’s draft. Buckner is now 32, playing as well as he ever has and scheduled to be a free agent in 2027. It makes him a prime target at a position several contenders need.

Buckner already has been paid $10 million in a roster bonus, and he is due the rest of his $13 million base salary this year. Nearly guaranteed to leave Indianapolis after the season, a decision to unload players would almost certainly include Buckner.

Buckner is a game-changer. Nothing has changed since he last played for the 49ers. He’s the second-best defensive tackle with four sacks. He’s top 10 in pressures and impact plays, and 11th in run stops. Under Raheem Morris and in the 49ers’ scheme, you can’t help but think that Buckner would be even better.

With Buckner in the final year of his contract and not enjoying life in Naptown, the Colts have little leverage. The 49ers wouldn’t have to part with a first- or second-round pick.

He’s 32, so we’re not talking about a four-year extension or anything. But according to Sports Info Solutions, Buckner is the third-most valuable defensive lineman in the NFL by their points-saved metric.

Here’s what was said about Nelson:

Still one of the NFL’s best guards, Nelson is only 30 and entering the final year of his contract. Though he expressed interest in a long-term deal with Indianapolis, Ballard never was able to finalize one that certainly would have paid Nelson at the top of the market at his position.

Similar to Buckner’s situation, there are several playoff-worthy teams that need guards, and adding one of the NFL’s best at a time when they are rarely available is a reason to watch this.

Swapping Nelson for Connor Colby would make the NFL’s best offense even more potent. It would mean zero weak links up front.

The Colts played Seattle in Week 15 last year. I reference the Seahawks because Colby had one of the worst games in recent memory for any 49ers player a few weeks back on the road against Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams. Last December, Nelson had only one blown block against the run and a 0% pressure rate.

Compare that to Colby’s 17.1% pressure rate allowed against Seattle in a game where he missed six blown blocks, one of the highest marks in the NFL this season. It’s a one-game comparison, but it gives you an idea of the kind of upgrade it’d be. Nelson’s consistency and floor make everyone around him better.