Colts trade two captains for late round picks

The Indianapolis Colts moved their two team captains to other franchises on Tuesday. General management shipped guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. The deals leave the Colts with only late round draft picks for players who had their names engraved on the stadium walls.

The compensation package was modest. Indianapolis received a 2027 third round pick and a 2028 fifth round pick for Nelson. The deal for Buckner netted a single 2027 fourth round pick. No cash or premium assets changed hands in either transaction.

Former head coach Chuck Pagano expressed shock on the Countdown To Kickoff show. He rated his surprise level at a nine out of ten. Pagano questioned the timing, noting the team has ten games remaining in the regular season. He pointed out that the Colts just competed well against the Minnesota Vikings, even though they lost the game.

Pagano argued the market could have been better if the team waited. He cited the Tennessee Titans receiving a first round pick and a fourth round pick for Jeffery Simmons as a comparable benchmark. Pagano stated that Buckner has played three more years than Simmons and possesses equal or superior statistics. He believed the Colts could have secured a fourth round pick or more for Buckner alone.

The Colts currently hold a 2-5 record. They sit second in the AFC South. The team plays the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Jacksonville. The Jaguars lead the division with a 4-2 record. Indianapolis has not won in Jacksonville since 2014.