Most NFL trades can’t be made official because of an NFL rule prohibiting players from entering team facilities until the end of March. However, DeForest Buckner completed a physical in California and sent the results to the Colts, allowing them to complete their trade with the 49ers for the defensive lineman according to Matt Barrows of the Athletic. The 49ers on Wednesday announced the deal was official.
San Francisco sent Buckner to Indianapolis for the No.13 overall pick in this year’s draft. The Colts in turn signed him to a four-year, $84 million contract with $56.378 guaranteed according to Over the Cap.
Buckner was the No. 7 pick of the 49ers in the 2016 NFL draft and played well all four years he spent in San Francisco. Salary cap constraints forced them to make the decision to move on from the Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
“On behalf of the 49ers organization, I want to extend our most sincere appreciation to DeForest for his many contributions to the team and our community,” 49ers General Manager John Lynch said in a statement. “It has truly been a privilege to work with DeFo these last three years and he deserves a great deal of credit for helping us to build the foundation of this team and reestablish a championship culture. He and his wife, Ashlyn, are special people and we wish them the very best in their next chapter of life.”
San Francisco now has two first-round picks, including the Colts’ No. 13 overall selection, and their own 31st-overall pick.
