49ers Make Major Trade With Colts Amid Heated NFC West Race
The NFC West continues to heat up ahead of next month’s trade deadline as the San Francisco 49ers acquired defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to bolster their defensive front.
The 49ers sent the Colts a 2027 fourth-round pick in exchange for Buckner.
The move has likely come in response to the defending champion Seattle Seahawks trading for All-Pro offensive lineman Quentin Nelson from the Colts earlier this week.
Buckner is in the final year of his deal, making the move even more pressing for the Colts, who have seemingly become sellers ahead of the trade deadline. If the 32-year-old became a free agent next offseason and signed elsewhere, Indianapolis could have gotten a 2028 fifth-round pick because he’s an 11-year veteran.
The 49ers have been ravaged by injuries along their defensive front throughout much of the season, and Buckner will bring much-needed stability and production.
San Francisco has moved throughout most of the 2027 campaign without defensive tackles Alfred Collins, C.J. West, and James Thompson Jr. Meanwhile, Defensive ends Nick Bosa and Sam Okuayinonu have missed significant time.
Buckner is putting forth a productive season, posting four sacks, one forced fumble, three passes defended, and 31 total tackles through the first seven games.
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Since entering the NFL in 2016, he is one of four players with at least 75 sacks and 25 batted passes, putting him alongside Cameron Jordan, Chris Jones, and T.J. Watt.
Buckner should quickly slide into a significant role as the 49ers look to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season against the Atlanta Falcons.
