Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard noted that the team will get younger and faster in the defensive front 7 in the 2026 offseason.
Indy signed a few defensive linemen and drafted a couple of linebackers, but one NFL writer believes the Colts are a potential suitor for a defensive tackle who is likely on the trade block.
Colts Named Suitor for AFC North Defensive Tackle
GettyThe Colts could make an addition to the defensive line
The Indianapolis Colts did their job at retaining Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, keeping them as long-term pieces for the team. Indy has a solid offense, but one NFL writer believes the Colts could add another defensive lineman.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox dropped his latest trade block big board following the 2026 NFL Draft and named the Colts a potential suitor for Cincinnati Bengals defensive interior TJ Slaton.
“The Cincinnati Bengals may not be actively looking to move defensive players after taking an uncharacteristically aggressive approach to building their defense this offseason. However, teams should see if Cincinnati is willing to move off of veteran T.J. Slaton,” Knox wrote. “Slaton is entering the final year of a two-year deal, and the Bengals could save $6.7 million by moving him.”
“The Bengals should be able to request a fairly decent return for Slaton, given the lack of blue-chip defensive linemen in this year’s draft. Teams that missed out on one should at least give the Bengals a call.”
Slaton recorded career highs in almost every metric in the 2025 season. The defensive lineman logged 3 sacks, 52 total tackles (4 for loss) and 7 hits on opposing quarterbacks. Throughout his career, Slaton has registered 5 sacks, 186 total tackles (10 for loss) and 2 pass deflections.
In Knox’s trade proposal, the Colts would give up a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for TJ Slaton.
Potentially adding TJ Slaton would give the Colts defensive line another option, as the team’s All-Pro defensive tackle is recovering from an injury in the 2025 season, with a chance of him not being ready for next season.
Colts Give Update on All-Pro
GettyIndianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner
DeForest Buckner has been one of the most consistent and best players for the Indianapolis Colts since joining the squad back in 2020. Only missing one game in his first four seasons since joining, the defensive lineman has missed 7 the last two seasons (missing five games in the 2025 season due to a neck injury).
Buckner is still recovering from his injury and is expected to return to the practice field during training camp, though he will miss the offseason workouts.
TJ Slaton, on the other hand, has yet to miss a game in his career and has started every game the last three seasons. Adding a player who will show up on the gameday field will be a positive, as it gives the team some depth if Buckner were to get injured in the 2026 season.
Slaton would be in rotation with the newest signings, Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi, and defensive tackle Colby Wooden, who was acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers.
If Buckner isn’t ready by the start of Week 1 of the new season, adding TJ Slaton would give the Colts another option to disrupt offensive lines.
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