Colts Linked to Potential Trade Target from AFC Rival

Colts Linked to Potential Trade Target from AFC Rival

The Indianapolis Colts addressed several roster needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, but one position they didn’t reinforce was depth at nose tackle.

Veteran starter Grover Stewart is set to turn 33 before the end of the season, raising concerns about long-term stability at the position. Behind him, Derrick Nnadi struggled last year with the Kansas City Chiefs, ranking near the bottom among defensive tackles per Pro Football Focus, while Tim Smith—a sixth-round pick in 2025—spent his rookie season on the practice squad. Beyond those options, the Colts lack a natural fit at the one-technique role.

Because of this gap, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested Indianapolis explore a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals for defensive tackle T.J. Slaton Jr., potentially offering a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft.

Knox noted that while Cincinnati has aggressively rebuilt its defense this offseason, it could consider moving Slaton, who is entering the final year of his contract. Trading him would free up about $6.7 million in cap space—significant for a player who may see limited snaps moving forward.

Slaton, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound lineman, was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2021 before signing a two-year, $14.1 million deal with the Bengals in 2025. He carries a $9.16 million cap hit in 2026, which could be high for a non-starting role.

Although Slaton started all 17 games for Cincinnati last season, the team has since added more talent to its defensive front, including Jonathan Allen and Dexter Lawrence II, while still featuring B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins in the rotation. That crowded depth chart could push Slaton into a reduced role.

Given the limited number of top-tier defensive linemen available in the draft, Knox believes teams in need—like the Colts—should at least inquire about Slaton’s availability.

Cincinnati’s aggressive offseason approach may leave once-important contributors expendable, and Slaton could be one of them. Over 85 career games (53 starts), he has recorded 186 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and four pass breakups.

The Colts currently have around $26.6 million in available cap space, giving them flexibility to consider a move. However, after already investing in their defensive line this offseason, taking on Slaton’s contract might still be a costly decision.