Insider expects potential 49ers trade target DeForest Buckner to be ‘moved soon’

Will the San Francisco 49ers respond to the Seattle Seahawks' acquisition of All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson with a trade of their own to strengthen their position in the NFC West?

NFL analysts have linked the 49ers to Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who has expressed frustration with the team's struggles in recent weeks. A reunion with San Francisco would make sense, particularly as injuries have depleted the 49ers' defensive line depth.

Buckner would also return to the team that selected him with a seventh-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft before trading him to Indianapolis in 2020.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that the Colts are "actively shopping" Buckner, and they could move the veteran defensive tackle soon if the right offer emerges.

Could the 49ers be among the teams pursuing Buckner? Although Schultz didn't specifically name San Francisco as a potential trade partner, he said the league expects the 49ers to respond to the Seahawks' move.

"The NFC West is about to heat up in a big way," Schultz commented.

On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter named the 49ers as a team to watch in a potential trade for Buckner.

In his 11th NFL season, Buckner has recorded 683 tackles, 101 tackles for loss, 196 quarterback hits, 75.5 sacks, 31 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns over his career.

Acquiring Buckner would give the 6-1 49ers a proven interior pass rusher and bolster a defensive line dealing with significant injury concerns. A reunion could strengthen San Francisco's chances of competing for the NFC West title and making a deep playoff run.

Meanwhile, the Colts are 2-5 and coming off three straight losses.

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