Seahawks pay 2027 third, 2028 fifth picks to land Quenton Nelson

The Seattle Seahawks traded a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts for All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson.

The deal was finalized two weeks before the NFL trade deadline. The 4-3 Seahawks are adding a veteran leader to an offense that has struggled to maintain its previous dominance, while the 2-5 Colts continue a roster reset that began when they fired general manager Chris Ballard last week.

Nelson is one of only four offensive players in the post-merger era to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons. Elias Sports Bureau lists Franco Harris, Barry Sanders, and Joe Thomas as the others. For Seattle, Nelson replaces Anthony Bradford in the starting lineup. The move is intended to bolster a run game that currently averages 3.9 yards per carry, a figure that ranks 23rd in the league through seven games.

General manager John Schneider, who has a history of aggressive moves at the deadline, acquired Nelson through a relationship with interim Colts GM Ed Dodds. Schneider is projected to receive five compensatory picks in 2027. The Seahawks are currently two games behind the 49ers in the NFC West standings. Adding Nelson forces a shuffle on the offensive line. Grey Zabel, a 2025 first-round pick, plays left guard. The most logical adjustment would move Zabel to right guard, pushing Bradford into a backup role. Bradford is making $3.7 million in the final year of his rookie contract.

The Colts are positioned to rebuild. They lost to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, extending their losing streak. Running back Jonathan Taylor is the most prominent remaining target for other teams. Taylor is 27 years old and recently signed an extension through 2028. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who is 32 and in the final year of his deal, is also a likely trade candidate. The Colts lack a first-round pick in 2027, making the acquisition of mid-round capital attractive.

The Seahawks inherit the prorated portion of Nelson's $16 million base salary for 2026. This financial commitment limits their ability to make additional large trades. They recently issued large extensions to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon, and Leonard Williams. The Colts use their new draft capital to address needs at defensive tackle and wide receiver. Analysts suggest they could target Justin Scott, Tavion Gadson, or Bear Alexander on Day 2 of the draft.

Both teams enter the next week with shifting rosters. The Seahawks hope for healthy returns from running backs Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet, who may play against the Chicago Bears on Monday night. The Colts continue to evaluate their remaining veterans as the deadline approaches.