The Indianapolis Colts could be approaching a turning point, and DeForest Buckner is one of the veterans who could be on the move before the NFL trade deadline. With Indianapolis sitting at 2-5 and general manager Chris Ballard already out, moving an established defensive lineman for future draft capital would make sense as the franchise looks toward its next chapter.

One potential landing spot stands out: the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco could use another proven presence on the defensive interior, and Buckner would give the team a familiar face with plenty of experience in its system. The A to Z Sports mock trade simulator projects a deal that sends Buckner back to the team that drafted him, with both sides getting a reasonable return.

The proposed trade

Indianapolis Colts receive:

– 2027 third-round pick (projected No. 96 overall)

San Francisco 49ers receive:

DT DeForest Buckner

2027 seventh-round pick (projected No. 230 overall)

The A to Z Sports simulator views the framework as a fair deal, giving Indianapolis a slight advantage after accounting for the premium associated with acquiring a higher draft pick. For the Colts, the return is a valuable top-100 selection. For San Francisco, the cost is a third-rounder and the remaining salary on a veteran who could help immediately.

Why the Colts would make this trade

At 2-5, Indianapolis has little reason to hold onto every veteran asset if the team is heading toward a rebuild or significant roster overhaul. Buckner remains a productive defensive lineman, but his age, contract situation and the team’s disappointing start make him a logical trade candidate.

The 32-year-old is in the final year of the two-year, $46 million extension he signed in 2024. He has continued to provide pass-rush production from the interior, making him an appealing option for a contender looking to improve its defensive front without committing to a long-term contract.

A projected third-round pick would be a solid return for a player who could leave in free agency after the season. Indianapolis would also create meaningful financial flexibility by moving the remaining salary obligations, giving the organization additional room to work with as it evaluates the roster.

There is a downside, of course.

Buckner is still one of the Colts’ better defensive players, and moving him would leave a significant hole up front. But with the team struggling and a change in leadership already underway, keeping a veteran on an expiring deal may not be the best long-term decision.

Why the 49ers would bring Buckner back

San Francisco has reason to explore the defensive line market, particularly with injuries affecting its depth and the run defense showing vulnerabilities. Adding Buckner would give the 49ers another experienced interior pass rusher as they look to strengthen their roster for a potential postseason run.

The reunion angle makes this deal particularly interesting.

Buckner spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with San Francisco after the 49ers selected him seventh overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. The team traded him to Indianapolis in 2020 in exchange for a first-round pick, which the 49ers used to select defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

Now, several years later, a return could make sense for both sides.

Buckner already knows the organization and has played on the biggest stage with the 49ers, including their Super Bowl LIV run. He would not need to learn how to handle the expectations of playing in San Francisco, and his interior pressure could help take some of the burden off the team’s other pass rushers.

The financial commitment would only cover the remainder of his current deal, making this a relatively straightforward rental rather than a long-term investment.

The risk is that San Francisco would be spending a third-round pick on a 32-year-old defensive lineman who could depart in free agency. If Buckner’s production declines or the team’s defensive issues persist, that investment might not pay off.

Still, contenders rarely have the luxury of waiting for perfect solutions at the trade deadline.

Does the trade make sense for both teams?

The A to Z Sports simulator values Buckner at 315 points and the third-round selection at 368 points, with the late seventh-rounder adding a little more value to San Francisco’s side. After the simulator applies its trade-up adjustment, Indianapolis comes out ahead by 29 points.

That is a relatively narrow margin, which is what makes the proposal interesting. The Colts would be turning a veteran nearing free agency into a potentially useful draft asset, while the 49ers would be paying a reasonable price for an immediate defensive upgrade.

For Indianapolis, the priority should be maximizing the return on players who might not be part of the next competitive roster. A third-round pick gives the team another opportunity to add a young contributor while freeing up money for future moves.

For San Francisco, the calculation is simpler: can Buckner help the defense make a deeper playoff run? If the answer is yes, giving up a third-round pick for a familiar veteran on a short-term deal is a gamble worth considering.

This is a trade that makes sense for both sides. The Colts get younger and gain draft capital, while the 49ers add an experienced defensive lineman who knows the franchise and can contribute immediately.

With Indianapolis trending toward selling and San Francisco looking for ways to improve its defense, Buckner returning to the Bay Area is a plausible scenario worth watching.