The fire sale in Indianapolis has officially begun. The Colts have traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, while DeForest Buckner is reportedly heading back to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
These aren’t players who have stopped producing. Nelson is currently graded as the third-best guard in football by Pro Football Focus, with an 86.6 overall grade. Seattle is getting one of the best offensive linemen in the league, someone who can immediately improve its protection up front.
Buckner, meanwhile, is 32 years old but still has plenty left in the tank. He’s recorded four sacks through seven games this season, proving he can still get after the quarterback. With Nick Bosa dealing with a calf issue, Buckner’s return to San Francisco couldn’t come at a better time. He gives the 49ers another proven interior pass rusher who can help an injury-hit defensive line.
Both Seattle and San Francisco are acquiring players who can help them win right now. Indianapolis, on the other hand, is looking toward the future.
How Did the Colts Get Here?
Ever since the Colts started last season 7-1 and decided to give up two first-round picks for Sauce Gardner, things have gone downhill. They finished the 2025 season 8-9, missed the playoffs, and entered this year without any real direction. Now they’re 2-5, stuck in no man’s land, and don’t even own their first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Think about that. Indianapolis went all-in because it believed it had a contender. Less than a year later, it’s trading away established veterans in an attempt to start fresh. The Colts are still paying for a gamble that didn’t work out.
Daniel Jones is a serviceable quarterback. He can win football games, but is he someone Indianapolis can build a championship team around? I’m not convinced. The Colts need to find a quarterback they genuinely believe can lead them back to the top, the way Peyton Manning once did alongside Marvin Harrison Sr.
The problem is that Indianapolis doesn’t have the luxury most rebuilding teams enjoy. If the Colts finish near the bottom of the standings, they won’t automatically be rewarded with a top draft pick. That selection belongs to the Jets, meaning Indianapolis could endure another miserable season without getting the opportunity to select its next franchise quarterback in the first round.
Who Could Be Next?
Rumors are swirling that wide receiver Josh Downs could be available. Downs has played solid football this season, recording 26 receptions for 307 receiving yards through seven games. I think Indianapolis could get a third-round pick for him, maybe even a second if a team is desperate enough for receiving help.
But Downs isn’t the biggest piece the Colts have left. That would be Jonathan Taylor.
What Happens With Jonathan Taylor?
Taylor is still one of the three best running backs in football in my eyes. Last season, he rushed for nearly 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s the kind of player who can carry an offense, and at 27 years old, he still has plenty to offer.
Reports suggest Indianapolis views Taylor as part of its future, but I have a hard time buying that. If the Colts are genuinely rebuilding, why would they want to spend the remaining prime years of one of the league’s best running backs trying to get back to contention?
My suspicion is that Indianapolis is telling teams Taylor is part of its future to strengthen its negotiating position. Reports have suggested that acquiring Taylor could cost a second-round pick and additional compensation. That tells me the Colts are at least willing to listen, even if they insist they want to keep him.
And that’s where I question their approach. If Indianapolis truly believes Taylor is part of its long-term future, why entertain offers at all? At some point, the organization has to decide whether it’s rebuilding around Taylor or rebuilding without him.
I believe the Colts are hoping someone gets desperate enough to offer a first-round pick. But will anyone actually pay that price?
The Christian McCaffrey Comparison
In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers for four draft picks:
- A 2023 second-round pick
- A 2023 third-round pick
- A 2023 fourth-round pick
- A 2024 fifth-round pick
Not a single first-round selection.
McCaffrey was one of the best running backs in football at the time, just like Taylor is today. But McCaffrey also offered greater versatility as a pass catcher, which made him especially valuable to San Francisco.
As a pure runner, I think Taylor is every bit as dangerous as McCaffrey was back then. However, if Carolina couldn’t get a first-round pick for McCaffrey, I’m not convinced Indianapolis will get one for Taylor.
A package involving a second-round pick and additional draft capital seems more realistic. The question is whether the Colts would be willing to accept that or continue holding out for a first.
My Prediction
I believe Jonathan Taylor will be traded before the November 10 deadline.
The Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks are two teams I’d keep an eye on if he becomes available. Seattle has already shown it’s willing to make aggressive moves by acquiring Nelson, while Minnesota could also benefit from adding a running back of Taylor’s caliber.
Of course, there’s no guarantee either team makes an offer, and the Colts may ultimately decide to keep Taylor. But I think Indianapolis needs to seriously consider moving him while his value remains high.
The 2027 draft could offer several intriguing quarterback prospects, and the Colts currently lack the first-round pick that would make pursuing one much easier. If they can turn Taylor into valuable draft capital, they have to consider it.
Final Thoughts
The Colts went from believing they were Super Bowl contenders to tearing apart their roster in less than a year. They gambled on Sauce Gardner, surrendered two first-round picks, and watched their season collapse. Now they’re trying to recover those assets by moving players who can still contribute at a high level.
Unfortunately for Indianapolis, rebuilding isn’t as simple as trading veterans and collecting picks. They still need a long-term answer at quarterback, a clear direction for the franchise, and a way to overcome the draft capital they’ve already lost.
The fire sale has begun, and I don’t believe it’s finished. Jonathan Taylor could be the next big name out the door.
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