DeForest Buckner traded back to the 49ers as Colts land a 2027 fourth-round pick

DeForest Buckner is going back to San Francisco. On Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts traded the 32-year-old defensive tackle to the 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick. It was Indianapolis’ second big trade of the day, coming a few hours after guard Quenton Nelson was sent to Seattle.

The Colts announced the deal on Colts.com. Earlier, the Associated Press reported, citing a person familiar with the deal, that the trade couldn’t be finalized until Buckner passes a physical. ESPN first reported the trade.

The deal

A homecoming six years later

The 49ers drafted Buckner seventh overall in 2016. In 2020 they traded him to Indianapolis, and the Colts gave up a first-round pick to get him. ESPN reports that 49ers general manager John Lynch has called that trade the most difficult decision of his 10-year tenure.

In seven seasons with the Colts, Buckner had 47 sacks, 122 quarterback hits, 63 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and 20 batted passes in 95 games (90 starts), according to Colts.com. He was a first-team AP All-Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2023.

He has also come back from a serious injury. Buckner returned from season-ending neck surgery and has four sacks through the first seven games of 2026. ESPN notes that’s more than any 49ers player has this season.

Why it makes sense for San Francisco

The 49ers are 6-1 and in win-now mode, ESPN says, but injuries have hit their defensive line hard. Tackles Alfred Collins, C.J. West and James Thompson Jr. and ends Nick Bosa and Sam Okuayinonu have missed all or most of the season. ESPN added that in Sunday’s loss in Atlanta, the 49ers pressured Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on just three of his 34 dropbacks.

Buckner is expected to start at tackle next to Osa Odighizuwa. He joins Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw on the list of former 49ers who left and have since come back to the Bay.

Why it makes sense for Indianapolis

Buckner is in the last year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. ESPN explained that if he had left in free agency, the best compensatory pick the Colts could have received was a 2028 fifth-rounder. Trading him now gets them a 2027 fourth instead.

After 2-5 Indianapolis made both deals, Colts.com listed its picks over the next two drafts. In 2027 the Colts have two thirds and two fourths but no first-round pick. ProFootballTalk notes that the first-rounder belongs to the Jets from the Sauce Gardner trade.

Who’s next?

Other names will keep coming up as the Nov. 10 trade deadline gets closer. Colts Wire has listed defensive tackle Grover Stewart and receiver Keenan Allen as possible candidates. Running back Jonathan Taylor has drawn the most attention, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter says Colts ownership doesn’t want to trade him. For now, none of those players have been traded.

FAQ