The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, November 10, at 4 pm ET. The Indianapolis Colts could be in a position to make more deals before the deadline expires. More specifically, the team should make more moves.
Indy has already committed to a rebuild by trading left guard Quenton Nelson and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. Both have expiring deals and could re-sign with the Colts next year, but why would they? Indy won't be in a position to be a dangerous title threat for a few more seasons at least.
What would help get the team to that level faster is dealing for some more valuable players. Fans shouldn't be surprised if Indianapolis does nothing else before the deadline or if the team trades multiple players.
Indianapolis Colts players who could have played their last game in Indy
Jonathan Taylor
The Indianapolis Colts don't want to trade Taylor. He was extended for a couple more seasons before this season began, and he's arguably the best running back in franchise history. He plays a position, though, where individual excellence doesn't equate to team success.
Taylor could be replaced by Seth McGowan. Is the rookie as good as the veteran? No, but he might be able to carry the rushing attack, while the team overall will be made better by the draft picks Indy gets back for Taylor.
Could Jonathan Taylor be traded before the deadline? Of course, but he is unlikely to be. Indianapolis needs to deal him for the betterment of the team, but that doesn't appear to be something owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is ready to do.
Josh Downs
The wide receiver appears to have checked out physically and mentally already. He isn't doing himself any favors after reportedly requesting to be traded. He has had multiple drops in each of the last two weeks, and a couple of those in Week 9 might have turned into game-altering first downs.
He is capable of being a very good slot receiver, but the Colts' asking price isn't going up for Downs based on his recent performances. He said after the game that he can't control the future, but since he is a free agent next year, trading him for anything is something Indy must do at this point.
Some have speculated that a team has offered a fourth-round pick for Josh Downs. If Indianapolis lets that go by without accepting it, then fans have a right to ask if the decision-makers in Indianapolis have any clue as to how to eventually improve the team.
Grover Stewart
Stewart is in the last season of his current deal, and while he is still an effective run-stopper, he is in his early 30s and shouldn't be back next season. The Colts need to get younger while rebuilding, so trading Stewart now, getting anything in return, would at least help for the future.
The team has to look different beginning in 2027, and that means parting with some fan favorites, of which Stewart is one. He won't be a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but he will be remembered as one of the more consistently good defensive linemen in recent Indianapolis history.
Daniel Jones
The team has reportedly told Jones that he won't be traded, but that's the easy part. One question is why Indy wouldn't deal Jones if the right offer came along. Nothing in his career, except for the first half of last season, should have made anyone think that Jones is a long-term QB1.
He is paid like one by the Colts, but he's also been atrocious this season. He has been affected by not having wide receiver Alec Pierce, but a good quarterback could overcome the loss of one player. Jones has shown poor decision-making and an inability to complete important throws.
Of course, another question is why any team would want Jones, assuming the team adding the quarterback is making a playoff push? Maybe he would fit with the Minnesota Vikings, but only for a half-season.
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