The Colts just started selling, and we found a Lions trade that feels like something out of Madden, but doesn’t cost a lot
Detroit doesn’t need another interior defensive lineman, but Indianapolis is selling and Buckner may be surprisingly attainable. Add Charvarius Ward to the conversation and things get really interesting.
I have never written about the Indianapolis Colts this much in my life, but here we are. This is my third article about the Detroit Lions and the Colts working out a potential trade. The reason is simple. Lions fans keep telling me Detroit should trade for Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
Look, the Lions don’t need him. Buckner is an interior defensive lineman, and that’s one of the deepest spots on Detroit’s roster. He’s still very good, but he’s 32 years old and probably on the downside of his career. He’s a former All-Pro and Pro Bowler, though he hasn’t earned either honor since the 2023 season.
Still, he’s going to be available, and teams will be calling. There are already reports that the Chicago Bears are one of the teams interested in Buckner. That gives Lions GM Brad Holmes a chance to make a petty move, and petty moves can be fun.
Do the Lions need DeForest Buckner?
For starters, I don’t think so. Alim McNeill is the fifth-highest-graded interior defensive lineman in the NFL right now with an 80.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. He’s playing All-Pro football. It’s the best football of his career, and I don’t think that’s up for debate.
Tyleik Williams has also played exceptionally well at nose tackle. He owns a 73.2 grade and had a good game against Green Bay, although it could have been even better. He had two sacks in the bag. He slipped on one, and Jordan Love escaped the other just in time.
Then you have Skyler Gill-Howard on the bench. The rookie is starting to show up and generate pressure.
The depth behind them is less settled. Tyler Lacy hasn’t worked out too well, although he had a decent game against the Packers. At this point, you just don’t see much from Levi Onwuzurike.
So what if Holmes calls Indianapolis and tries to make a deal?
The trade simulator makes Buckner shockingly cheap
My first reaction when fans brought this up was that the Lions would never give up what it takes to land him. Then I went to our trade simulator. It runs on points, which are calculated using contracts, stats, analytics, age, and more.
Buckner is worth 314 points. When I checked what Detroit would need to send back, the answer was a fifth- and a sixth-round pick.
Seriously, do that trade. Why wouldn’t you?
Suddenly the Lions have Buckner, McNeill playing the best football of his career, Williams as an exceptional nose tackle, and Gill-Howard coming on as a rookie. Who beats that defensive line? What does an offense even do against that group?
It’s unnecessary. I’ll say that as many times as I have to. It’s also a lot of fun, and I kind of feel like you have to do it.
Why not add Charvarius Ward while you’re at it?
While Holmes has the Colts on the phone, I’d ask about cornerback Charvarius Ward too.
Here’s the offer I’d make. Detroit sends a fourth-round pick, a fifth-round pick, next year’s sixth, and a 2028 sixth-round pick. In exchange, the Lions get a starting cornerback, add Buckner to the defensive line rotation, and keep Ward under contract in 2027.
I would do it. This is the only time in my life I’ve felt like I was playing Madden in real life, and this one actually works. It’s a fair trade across the board.
Again, it doesn’t make sense from a need standpoint. Buckner wouldn’t start. But if you believe you can win a Super Bowl, the defense keeps getting better, and you can add a starting cornerback plus a veteran former All-Pro who flexes in and out of the rotation, it’s hard to say no.
It also keeps Buckner away from Chicago, Green Bay, and the other teams hunting for defensive linemen. Detroit gets to be the team that gets the petty deal done. If I’m the Lions, I’m doing it.
What will the Lions actually do?
To be honest, I don’t think this happens. I don’t believe Detroit will trade for Buckner at all.
I do believe the Lions will at least get on the phone with Indianapolis to ask about Ward, and there’s a real chance that deal gets done. We’ve already broken down what that would take, and a fifth-round pick should get it done.
The Colts have already started selling. They traded Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks early Tuesday. We’ll see if they want to do anything else.
Detroit Lions News