Quenton Nelson trade destinations: Five contenders that should call as Colts begin rebuild

Nelson is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded guard in 2026, and he is a pending free agent whose general manager just got fired

With Indianapolis entering a new era and lacking a 2027 first-round pick, dealing its eight-time Pro Bowl guard could help replenish the draft cupboard. Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon just signaled to the rest of the NFL that they are set to undergo a rebuild after firing general manager Chris Ballard. Irsay-Gordon ended Ballard's regime six games into his 10th year in charge. Indianapolis reached the playoffs twice (2018 and 2020), going 1-2 in those two trips under Ballard. The Colts' 72-82-1 regular-season record under his management ranked 17th in the league, middle of the pack, during Ballard's tenure. Indianapolis' five missed playoffs in a row represent the Colts' longest such streak in four decades.

Indianapolis never won an AFC South title under Ballard. Now, the Colts are set to start over in 2027 with a teardown and rebuild ahead under a new front office. The pro of starting a rebuild now is that the 2027 NFL Draft is widely regarded as one of the most talented in years. The con is that the Colts don't have a first-round pick, thanks to trading their 2026 and 2027 first-round draft choices, along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, to the New York Jets last season in exchange for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. So who could Indianapolis trade away to recoup first-round pick