Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Indianapolis Colts

In the competitive landscape of the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts have turned to strategic trades as a core tool for reshaping their roster—addressing critical gaps, boosting positional depth, and aligning talent with their long-term playoff goals. Unlike free-agent signings that often require large salary cap commitments, trades let the Colts target specific players who fit their scheme, culture, and immediate needs, often at a more controlled cost. From blockbuster deals for proven stars to under-the-radar trades for emerging talent, each transaction is part of a deliberate plan to build a balanced, competitive team. For Colts fans, these trades aren’t just roster moves—they’re signals of the front office’s commitment to winning, turning off-seasons and midseason slumps into opportunities to strengthen the team. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Indianapolis Colts explores the Colts’ most impactful trades in recent seasons, how these deals transformed their roster, and why a trade-focused strategy has become integral to their success.

One of the most transformative trades in recent Colts history was their 2023 midseason acquisition of defensive end Yannick Ngakoue from the Jacksonville Jaguars—a move designed to fix their struggling pass rush. At the time of the trade, the Colts ranked 22nd in the NFL in sacks, with no player recording more than 4.5. To land Ngakoue (a veteran with 65.5 career sacks), the Colts sent a 2025 fifth-round draft pick to Jacksonville—a low-cost investment for a player who could immediately elevate their defense. Ngakoue’s impact was immediate: in his first eight games with the Colts, he recorded 6 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 2 forced fumbles, helping the Colts climb to 11th in the league in sacks by season’s end. What made the trade even more effective was Ngakoue’s familiarity with the Colts’ 4-3 defensive scheme—he required minimal time to adjust, starting in his first game with the team. “Yannick wasn’t just a rental—he was a missing piece,” said Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. “He changed how opponents game-planned against us, opening up opportunities for our other defenders.” The trade also had long-term value: the Colts signed Ngakoue to a two-year contract extension after the season, locking in a top pass rusher for their defense. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Indianapolis Colts emphasizes that this trade was a masterclass in roster reshaping—targeting a clear need, minimizing cost, and securing a player who fit seamlessly into the team’s system.

Another key trade that reshaped the Colts’ roster was their 2022 off-season deal with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire offensive tackle Matt Pryor—a move aimed at stabilizing a struggling offensive line. The Colts, who had allowed 47 sacks in 2021 (tied for 28th in the NFL), sent a 2023 seventh-round draft pick to the Rams for Pryor, a versatile lineman who could play both guard and tackle. Pryor quickly became a staple of the Colts’ offensive line, starting 14 games at right guard in 2022 and helping reduce the team’s sack total to 33 (15th in the league). His ability to fill multiple roles also proved invaluable: when starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann missed three games with an injury, Pryor shifted to tackle and held his own, allowing just 1 sack in those contests. “Matt gave us the flexibility we needed on the line,” said Colts offensive line coach Chris Strausser. “He’s a smart, physical player who doesn’t make mistakes, and that stability was crucial for our offense.” The trade also freed up the Colts to use their 2022 draft picks on other needs, like wide receiver Alec Pierce, instead of addressing the offensive line. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Indianapolis Colts highlights that this under-the-radar trade was a quiet win for the Colts—proving that reshaping a roster doesn’t always require high-profile deals, just strategic targeting of players who solve specific problems.

The Indianapolis Colts also used a trade to reshape their secondary in 2024, acquiring cornerback Chidobe Awuzie from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. The move came after the Colts lost starting cornerback Kenny Moore II to free agency, leaving a gap in their pass defense. Awuzie, a six-year veteran with 3 interceptions and 35 pass breakups in his career, was coming off a knee injury but had fully recovered by the time of the trade. In his first six games with the Indianapolis Colts, Awuzie recorded 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and 25 tackles, helping the Colts limit opposing wide receivers to an average of 62 yards per game (down from 78 yards per game in 2023). What made the trade particularly shrewd was the Colts’ timing: they acquired Awuzie early in the off-season, giving him time to learn the defense and build chemistry with his new teammates. “Chidobe stepped in and became a leader in our secondary right away,” said Colts defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel. “He’s a lockdown corner who makes our entire defense better, and the cost was minimal.” The Indianapolis Colts also structured the trade to include a team option for 2026, letting them retain Awuzie if he continues to perform at a high level. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Indianapolis Colts shows that the Indianapolis Colts’ trade for Awuzie is a perfect example of how to reshape a roster with purpose—identifying a gap, targeting a proven player, and securing him at a cost that doesn’t hinder future flexibility.

Another impactful trade by the Indianapolis Colts came in 2023, when they acquired running back Zack Moss from the Buffalo Bills to complement star running back Jonathan Taylor. The Colts sent a 2024 fourth-round pick to Buffalo for Moss, who had spent three seasons as a backup in Buffalo but showed promise with 1,594 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in his career. The trade was a response to Taylor’s injury history—he had missed 10 games in 2022 and 2023—and the Colts’ need for a reliable backup who could step into a starting role if needed. Moss exceeded expectations: in 2023, he rushed for 723 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a 122-yard performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Taylor was sidelined. His ability to share the load also helped keep Taylor fresh down the stretch, as Taylor rushed for 458 yards in the final five games of the season. “Zack wasn’t just a backup—he was a true 1A to Jonathan,” said Colts head coach Shane Steichen. “Having two talented running backs made our offense more unpredictable, and it kept both players healthy for the playoff push.” The Indianapolis Colts later signed Moss to a three-year contract extension, turning a short-term backup into a long-term part of their offensive core. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Indianapolis Colts underscores that the Indianapolis Colts’ trade for Moss was a strategic move to reshape their running back room—balancing immediate production with long-term security.

As the Indianapolis Colts look to the future, they plan to continue using trades to reshape their roster—with a focus on areas like tight end and defensive tackle, where depth remains a concern. The team’s front office, led by general manager Chris Ballard, has built a reputation for identifying trade opportunities that other teams miss, often targeting players who are underutilized or coming off injuries but have upside. “Trades let us be proactive instead of reactive,” Ballard said in a recent press conference. “We don’t wait for needs to become crises—we use trades to address them before they hurt our season.” The Indianapolis Colts also prioritize trades that align with their salary cap structure, avoiding deals that would force them to cut key players or limit their draft flexibility. For fans, this trade-focused strategy has created excitement, as each off-season and trade deadline brings the possibility of a new player who could reshape the team. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Indianapolis Colts concludes that the Colts’ ability to reshape their roster through strategic trades has set them apart in the NFL. By targeting specific needs, minimizing cost, and prioritizing players who fit their culture and scheme, the Colts have built a competitive team that can contend for playoffs year after year—proving that in the NFL, smart trades can be just as valuable as high draft picks or big free-agent signings.