The Indianapolis Colts are selling. In one day, Tuesday, Oct. 27, they traded two of their best players: guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco. On Wednesday, receiver Josh Downs asked for a trade.
With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 10, here’s where things stand.
Why the Colts are selling
- They are 2-5 after Week 7.
- They fired general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19, and assistant GM Ed Dodds is in charge for the rest of the season.
- Nelson and Buckner were both in the last year of their contracts, so they could have left for nothing next spring.
Already gone
| Player | Traded to | Colts got |
|---|---|---|
| G Quenton Nelson | Seahawks | 2027 3rd-round pick, 2028 5th-round pick (story) |
| DT DeForest Buckner | 49ers | 2027 4th-round pick (story) |
Who could be next
WR Josh Downs: asked for a trade
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Downs has requested a trade. Asked about it on Wednesday, he said: "I’m open to whatever."
- Age: 25, in the final year of his rookie contract
- 2026: 26 catches, 307 yards, 0 touchdowns
- Career: 224 catches, 2,447 yards, 11 touchdowns since the Colts drafted him in the third round in 2023
His numbers are down this year. With receiver Alec Pierce hurt, defenses have focused on him, and Daniel Jones’ quarterback play has been up and down.
RB Jonathan Taylor: now on the trade market
Update (Oct. 31): According to ESPN, the Colts are now willing to trade Taylor, and talks are "active and ongoing." The Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Giants and Seahawks have shown interest. Full story.
Earlier in the week:
Taylor is the biggest name, and ESPN reports that several teams are interested. But coach Shane Steichen said Taylor has not asked for a trade, and called the talk "hypothetical things right now."
Adam Schefter of ESPN also reported that the Colts are not planning to trade Taylor. Unlike Nelson and Buckner, he isn’t on an expiring deal: he signed a two-year extension this summer.
DT Grover Stewart
Schefter named the veteran defensive tackle as another player who could be moved.
Who gains from all this? The Jets
The Colts don’t have their own 2027 first-round pick. It belongs to the New York Jets, from the Sauce Gardner trade. So every loss Indianapolis takes this season could help the Jets get a higher pick.
Key date
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 4:00 pm ET: the trade deadline. Follow every deal in our NFL trade tracker.
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports / PFT, Yahoo Sports – NFL news, CBS Sports.
