Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching. Multiple names have already been shipped off and more could be coming. The Indianapolis Colts could be either a buyer or a seller at the deadline. With that being said, the FPC Colts staff takes a look at five players that the Colts could be buying or selling.

Peyton Smith – DeVante Parker

Colts Receive: WR DeVante Parker

Dolphins Receive: 2019 4th round pick, 2019 7th round pick

The Colts, who have spent much of the season devoid of a number two wide receiver to compliment T.Y. Hilton, could look to make a splash and give Parker a change of scenery. The Louisville standout has spent much of his career underwhelming, but the Colts may think a change of scenery could help him. He is big, at 6’3”. And fast, recording a 4.45 40 yard dash at the combine. Parker is coming off of his career game in Miami. He hauled in six passes for 134 yards and perhaps was auditioning for his would-be trade suitors.

Parker has spent his career playing with QBs such as Matt Moore, Brock Osweiler, Jay Cutler, and Ryan Tannehill, perhaps Andrew Luck could give DeVante Parker what he needs to become the 14th overall pick he was in. Since the Colts (3-5) are only two games back of the division rival Texans (5-3), perhaps Chris Ballard attempts to make a playoff push while also trying to stay young by adding Parker, who was a 2015 first round pick. And with the Colts having a week 9 bye, adding Parker now could make him an impact player in week 10 against Jalen Ramsey, Yannick Ngakoue, and the Jaguars defense.

Maxx Hotton – Mohamed Sanu

Colts Receive: WR Mohamed Sanu

Falcons Receive: 2019 5th round pick, 2020 7th round pick

The Colts need WR help, that’s no secret. Names like Devante Parker and Amari Cooper have carried hefty price tags this trade deadline and don’t fit the Colts long-term plans. The Falcons are staring a lost year in the face due to a rash of injuries.
Atlanta has lost studs like Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen, Devonta Freeman, and Deion Jones to IR this year. Matt Ryan and company are still doing their best to keep the season afloat, but at 3-4, they still sit at the bottom of the competitive NFC South. Come Monday or Tuesday, they may realize that they should hedge some of their bets for next year by clearing some space and getting some picks. The Falcons could use some cap space as they look to re-sign players like Grady Jarrett in free agency this year, so getting some relief would be very helpful.
Mohamed Sanu has lost his job to rookie stud Calvin Ridley and is barely staying afloat as the third or fourth receiver to Justin Hardy. At 29 years old, he still has enough left in the tank to contribute on a team that needs him, but Atlanta is probably not that team. By trading away Sanu, the Falcons save $12.5 million over the next two years.
Again, the Colts need WRs, as the Colts receivers outside of T.Y. Hilton are uninspiring at best. Sanu may not be an all pro, but he is talented and consistent. Sanu has the lowest drop rates in the whole NFL since 2015 and has zero in 2018. Indy receivers lead the league in drops, seeing a trend? Sanu is also proficient in getting YAC, something the Colts lack dearly. Sanu could be the answer to the Colts ugly screen game as well. Of course, Sanu is a well-known gadget player too, throwing six passes in his career for three touchdowns and 228 yards. A trade for Sanu would instantly make him the third-best quarterback in the AFC South (come at me Jag and Titan fans).
The Colts have the firepower to make this move for a young enough player at the same cap hit as Ryan Grant. Sanu would add a whole new wrinkle in the Colts offense and possibly give Luck his most reliable number two WR since the TY-Reggie days. I’m not sure if the Falcons will move Sanu, but the motive is there, and Chris Ballard should keep his phone lines open for the potent offensive weapon.

Zach Sears – Jacoby Brissett

Colts Receive: 2019 3rd round pick, 2020 5th round pick

Giants Receive: QB Jacoby Brissett

Philip Walker, UDFA quarterback who was with the team in the preseason was recently signed to the practice squad. Walker was exceptional in the preseason and could be moved up to the team this week. 2017 starter Jacoby Brissett showed the potential to be a starting franchise quarterback in the league which may spark interest from some teams before the trade deadline. Teams like the Giants, Bills, and 49ers are all teams that desperately need a quarterback if they want to win games now.

That being said, I see the potential of the Colts trading the Giants Brissett in exchange for their 2019 third round pick and a 2020 fifth round conditional pick. Brissett can draw a second round pick or even a very late first, but the Giants would not give that up as they need it for offensive line and defense when the draft comes around. A third-round pick this year and a fifth next year allows them to keep those top picks while acquiring a need.

On the Colts end, adding depth in the draft is perfect as the Colts have arguably the best 2018 draft class. Giving GM Chris Ballard more potential superstar picks is all he needs in exchange for a back up at this point. Also with the current Giants record, the third round pick would be an early third with second-round potential being the first choice of that round. Overall, the trade would benefit both teams and fit both of their needs or hopes for their future.

Mason Ford – Gareon Conley

Colts Receive: CB Gareon Conley

Raiders Receive: 2019 3rd round pick

Colts should trade for Raiders’ cornerback Gareon Conley before the trade deadline. Conley is 23 years old and this is only his second NFL season. Conley was selected with the 24th pick in the 2017 NFL draft but only played two games his rookie year. In the first seven games of this NFL season, he had seven passes defended and one interception that he returned 36 yards for a touchdown. Gareon Conley has tremendous potential and the Colts have a great need for cornerbacks.

Since the Colts have two second round picks in the upcoming draft, they should send a third-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for Gareon Conley. This would benefit both teams because the Raiders seem to be collecting draft picks by the dozen, and the Colts need a solid corner if they want to keep their season alive.

Ben Pfeifer – Deone Bucannon

Colts Receive: LB Deone Bucannon

Cardinals Receive: 2019 4th round pick

Deone Bucannon was a pioneer on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL. Drafted in 2014 in the back of the first round by the Cardinals, he came out as a tough-nosed, thumping safety. He was the first of the hybrid safety-linebacker type players which have become so prevalent in today’s NFL.

Unfortunately for Bucannon, he has fallen out of favor in Arizona. Bucannon has been excellent in the last three seasons, including his monster 2015 campaign where he racked up 109 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass defenses, and an interception. However, he has fallen to the wayside in Steve Wilks’ new scheme. His minutes have dipped and he’s only started in two games so far this year.

Income the Indianapolis Colts, a team desperately in need of defensive talent. Playing his natural hybrid safety-weak side linebacker role in the Colts’ 4-3 defense could be greatly beneficial for him and the team. The Colts can afford to expend a fourth for a player with Bucannon’s upside and the Cardinals should be looking to accrue as many draft picks as they can.

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