Early in the season, the Indianapolis Colts appeared to be the second-best team in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, things have taken a turn the past few weeks. The Houston Texans suddenly look like a threat after beating the Jags and winning two in a row. Meanwhile, Indy has struggled to get going, which prompted owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon to dismiss general manager Chris Ballard in an effort to give her team a spark.
Following the loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis dismissed Ballard. Other teams in the NFL took notice, as the Colts could set a fire sale in order to acquire assets to rebuild the roster next year. And if they're open to shopping some of their best players, Jacksonville needs to set its sights on DeForest Buckner.
Why the Jaguars need to trade for DeForest Buckner
A first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, DeForest Buckner landed in Indianapolis in 2020. He's been one of the best tackles in the league throughout his 11-year career, registering 11 forced fumbles, 75.5 sacks, and 678 total tackles. The Jaguars know firsthand just how good he is, having to face him twice a season the past few years.
Back in the 2023 opener, Buckner scoped a Tank Bigsby fumble and took it to the house. That's the impact he could have in Duval. Although the grizzled veteran is 32, he's yet to show signs of slowing down.
Knowing that general manager James Gladstone isn't afraid to make a trade to address the larger scale roster, he shouldn't hesitate to give whoever is leading the Colts' front office to inquire about Buckner.
In Jacksonville, Buckner would bolster an interior defensive line that includes DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead. The former is a stud against the run but isn't a great passer, while the latter has been dominant at times this season but has been inconsistent.
You may also like: The Jags send Brian Thomas Jr. to the Chiefs in a trade pitch that screams larceny
Why would the Colts trade DeForest Buckner to the Colts?
The biggest hurdle that the Jaguars would face if they were interested in acquiring DeForest Buckner is that intradivision trades are rare in the NFL. Unless they think that it won't come back to haunt them, clubs don't usually shop players within their division. That said, it wouldn't hurt Jacksonville to try.
Buckner had a salary of $13 million but would have only $8.7 million remaining if Indy traded him at the deadline. The Jaguars could easily take on that cap hit. Heck, James Gladstone restructured a few contracts early this year precisely to have the flexibility to make moves.
Since Buckner is entering the last year of his deal, the Jags may be able to get him for a fourth, perhaps a conditional fourth that becomes a third based on playing conditions, to sweeten the deal. That's not a hefty price to pay for help at defensive line.
Even though they're coming off a painful loss, the Jaguars are still a good team, but that doesn't mean they can't use help at certain position groups. Their interior defensive line would most definitely get a boost if they traded for DeForest Buckner.
Add us as a preferred source on Google