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The NFL trade deadline has officially passed, and the Indianapolis Colts made it clear what direction this franchise is heading.
At 2-7 and riding a five-game losing streak, the Colts have spent the last two weeks turning expiring contracts into draft capital while refusing to sell off everyone on the roster.
So, did Indianapolis get enough value? Let’s grade every move.
This is still the one I have the biggest problem with.
Nelson is one of the best guards of this generation, and getting only a 2027 third-round pick and 2028 fifth-rounder feels light. That being said, he was on an expiring contract, and paying him another massive deal at 30 years old probably did not fit where this rebuild is heading.
Not only did he not quite fit into the rebuild's outlook, but Nelson did manage to net the most draft capital for a guard in recent memory. According to Spotrac, via Alex Katson, Nelson is the only traded guard since 2011 to net a third-round draft selection.
I still would have wanted an earlier pick. The difference between what Indianapolis got for Big Q and what other teams have received for All-Pro talent is pretty staggering.
I don’t mind this one nearly as much.
Buckner is 32, was on an expiring deal, and likely would not be the same player by the time Indianapolis is ready to seriously compete again. Getting a 2027 fourth-round pick while sending him back to a contender makes sense.
This feels like a win.
Allen was on a one-year deal, and Indianapolis turned a 34-year-old receiver into a 2027 sixth-round pick. San Francisco needed receiver help, and the Colts took advantage.
This changed right before the deadline.
Downs requested a trade after the Nelson and Buckner moves, and Indianapolis sent him plus a 2027 seventh-rounder to Kansas City for 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks.
Considering Downs' poor performances over the last few weeks, I'm surprised the Colts got as much as they did.
For an expiring-contract player who wanted out, that is solid value.
I applaud this front office for not getting taken advantage of here.
Multiple teams were reportedly willing to offer a second-round pick and more, but Taylor is under contract through 2028 and did not request a trade. If nobody wanted to overpay for one of the league’s marquee running backs, keep him.
I’m glad to see No. 28 stay.
This one is fine.
Jones has not played well, and Indianapolis reportedly told him before the deadline that he would not be moved. I still believe Jones can look serviceable when the pieces around him are right, but this team has failed to give him that consistency this season.
I love this move.
Adebawore has emerged as one of Indianapolis’ premier young defenders, and locking him up through 2028 gives this rebuild a legitimate piece to build around. He entered Week 9 leading NFL defensive tackles in both pressure rate and pass-rush win rate.
This front office did a solid job turning expiring contracts into picks without getting desperate on Taylor.
I still would have rather kept Big Q, but considering the situation Dodds inherited, I think Indianapolis made the best of a difficult situation.