Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard made an aggressive move on Monday, trading the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft to the San Francisco 49ers for DT DeForest Buckner.
Immediately after making the trade, the Colts signed Buckner to a five-year deal with $21 million per season, according to multiple reports. This deal makes Buckner the second-highest defensive tackle in NFL history.
Can confirm the Colts traded a first-round pick for DeForest Buckner, per source. 5-year deal at $21 million per year.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) March 16, 2020
Trade AND deal: Colts trade first-round pick (13th overall) to 49ers for All-Pro DT DeForest Buckner, who already has agreed to a massive contract that pays him $21 million a year and makes him the second-highest paid DT in NFL history behind only Aaron Donald, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Ballard mentioned plenty this offseason that the Colts were in the market to be more aggressive. It seems they found a deal that was simply too good to pass up and seeing as they’ve been diligent with their money, they feel this is the time to splurge.
What I'm hearing: Colts saw the opportunity to get Bucker as too good to pass up. They've been prudent with $$$ in years past for moments like this, so they could grab a player they felt they had to.
Young, talented DL who'll play in front of Darius Leonard for years to come.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 16, 2020
The full details of the contract haven’t yet been released, but the Colts weren’t afraid of paying up for Buckner, who will turn 26 years old on Tuesday. Ballard typically doesn’t like to trade picks away, but it seems he was going all in for the Oregon product.
Buckner has been a force on the defensive line for the 49ers ever since he was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in 2016. He has 19.5 sacks and 34 quarterback hits over the last two seasons. He was a Pro Bowler in 2018.
The Colts addressed one of their biggest needs this offseason with a big trade, and it will be interesting if Ballard as anything in store for the rest of free agency.