As the NFL approaches free agency and the draft, speculation is rampant, and Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon recently proposed a series of five trades to construct a formidable defense. One trade suggestion involved sending Indianapolis Colts’ defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for just a second-round pick. While acknowledging Buckner’s one-year contract situation, the argument is made that a Pro Bowl caliber player in his prime should command more value than a second-round pick in February, especially when the Colts are in need of defensive improvement after finishing 28th in scoring last year.
The proposed trade is deemed more suitable for the NFL Trade Deadline on Halloween, particularly if the Colts are struggling at that point. Kenyon acknowledges the unlikelihood of the proposed deal, questioning why a Pro Bowl defensive tackle wouldn’t be considered a “massive, much-needed upgrade.” He suggests exploring other high-profile defensive tackles like Chris Jones or even Aaron Donald through a tag and trade, though admitting the Bengals have slim chances of acquiring such players.
The piece highlights the prevalence of such speculative discussions, noting instances where rumors of the Colts trading Buckner to the Bengals for a second-round pick have surfaced. However, the overall sentiment is that these are merely offseason water-cooler conversations, with the proposed trade unlikely to materialize beyond casual discussion.
