INDIANAPOLIS — We all know how much Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard "loves them draft picks."
So, if he was willing to part with his most valuable pick in order to trade straight-up for a player for the first time since becoming the Colts' GM, that player must be pretty special, right?
That's the general consensus in the NFL world after the Colts and San Francisco 49ers made headlines this week when they swapped the Colts' No. 13-overall pick in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft for the 49ers' All-Pro defensive lineman, DeForest Buckner.
Here's what people had to say about the move:
First, Buckner himself weighs in:
Next, a couple of Buckner's new Colts defensive teammates in linebacker Darius Leonard and cornerback Kenny Moore II:
49ers general manager John Lynch:
Emmanuel Acho, ESPN:
Jim Ayello, The Indianapolis Star:
Joe Banner, former NFL Executive and NFL Analyst:
Matt Bowen, ESPN:
"And I like the move for the Colts, too. GM Chris Ballard has hoarded cap space the last three years, and moved judiciously with his money, doing well with second-tier signings on the veteran market. The reason? It's hard to find true blue-chip players out there—mostly because teams hold on to players like that. And a player like Buckner wasn't going to be there for him in free agency, nor was he going to be available with the 13th pick. So with a roster that's pretty well-rounded, he filled a big need with a dominant player."
ESPN Stats & Info:
Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network:
Tim Kawakami, The Athletic-San Francisco:
Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports:
Collin McCollough, Bleacher Report:
John Middlekauff, Haberman & Middlekauff Podcast:
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report:
NFL Media:
NFL Update:
Pro Football Focus:
"San Francisco traded away arguably its top defender moments after re-signing Armstead. Fortunately, GM John Lynch got a hefty return for his services. Indianapolis, who ranked 16th in the NFL in sack rate last fall, sent the 13th overall pick westward.
It's a move that may weaken the 49ers' NFC title defense, but also secures reasonable compensation for a player who may have left in free agency after 2020 anyway._
Short-term grade: 49ers B, Colts A-
Long-term grade: 49ers A-, Colts B"
Mike Wells, ESPN:
Steve Wyche, NFL Network:
