The Cleveland Browns could be an active participant heading toward the NFL trade deadline, but with their surprising start to the season, they are now likely to be buyers rather than sellers. With disappointing teams switching the other way, there could be some valuable players on the market for the Browns to consider.
Cleveland may have had an interest in Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson, but he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. The floundering AFC team is likely to move on from more of its veterans, and one in particular could be a good fit for the Browns.
Seeing the modest return Indianapolis received for Nelson, analyst Jeff Phelps is proposing a blockbuster trade for Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
“If they got only a third and a fifth (round pick) for Nelson, what would it cost for Buckner? Fourth? Fifth?” Phelps said.
"So, who's next…would he look good in an orange helmet?"
🚨 @CLETalkingHeads on whether the #Browns would be interested in #Colts DT DeForest Buckner https://t.co/cP7vtXTDyk pic.twitter.com/LkFukQuxDn
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) October 27, 2026
According to insider Jordan Schultz, the Colts are “actively shopping” Buckner, a 32-year-old who can become a free agent after this season. He is likely to draw a lot of interest, so the deal Phelps suggests may not be enough to bring him to Cleveland.
The Browns have been dealing with injuries on the interior of their defensive line, with Mason Graham, Kalia Davis, and Mike Hall Jr. all sidelined. Graham was able to return from a leg injury earlier than projected, but Davis and Hall remained out when Cleveland defeated the Tennessee Titans 27-24 this past Sunday.
Veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins signed a two-year, $30 million contract extension with Cleveland just last week, so Buckner would be a rental for the Browns as they pursue a playoff berth. He missed 12 games over the past two seasons with a high-ankle sprain and a neck injury, respectively, but he has played in every game this season for the 2-5 Colts, posting 31 combined tackles and 4.0 sacks, which shows that he is still a highly productive player.
The Browns would need to have a better idea of how long Davis and Hall will remain unavailable before seriously considering this trade, but a team can never have enough depth at a rotational position.
NEXT: Insider Names The Key To Beating The Steelers
