Colts Given a Trade Target to Pursue from AFC Foe

The Indianapolis Colts came out of the 2026 NFL Draft having addressed several needs to varying degrees, but one spot left untouched was the backup nose tackle/one-tech spot.

Starter Grover Stewart will be 33 years old by the time the season is over. His primary backup, Derrick Nnadi, was the 123rd-ranked defensive tackle in the NFL last year for the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Pro Football Focus. The other option, Tim Smith, was a sixth-round pick last year who spent his rookie year on the practice squad.

Any other option currently on the Colts would be playing out of position.

As a result, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has suggested the Colts swing a move for a player from a now-crowded Cincinnati Bengals defensive front, trading a fifth-round pick in next year's draft to Cincinnati for defensive tackle T.J. Slaton Jr.

"The Cincinnati Bengals may not be actively looking to move defensive players after taking an uncharacteristically aggressive approach to building their defense this offseason," Knox wrote. "However, teams should see if Cincinnati is willing to move off of veteran T.J. Slaton.

"Slaton is entering the final year of a two-year deal, and the Bengals could save $6.7 million by moving him. That's a considerable amount for a player who might not see extensive playing time in 2026."

Slaton (6'5", 340, 28 years old) was a fifth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2021 out of Florida before hitting free agency in 2025, when he was intriguing enough for the Bengals to sign him to a two-year deal worth $14.1 million. Slaton represents a $9.16 million salary cap hit in 2026, which may be too steep for a player who isn't a starter for their new team.

"While Slaton started all 17 games for Cincinnati last year, that was before the Bengals signed Jonathan Allen and traded for Dexter Lawrence II," Knox said. "With B.J. Hill and 2024 second-round pick Kris Jenkins also in Cincinnati's defensive-line rotation, Slaton is probably looking at a very reduced role.

"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."

The Bengals went scorched-earth to solve their defensive line issues this offseason, which may result in players who were once primary contributors, such as Slaton, being cast aside.

In 85 career games (53 starts), Slaton has 186 tackles (10 for loss), 5.0 sacks, 14 QB hits, and four pass breakups.

The Colts still have plenty of cap space to make a move like this, with $26.6 million remaining, according to OverTheCap. However, Slaton's price tag is likely too much after what the Colts have spent on their own defensive line this offseason.