On the positive side, the San Francisco 49ers‘ decision to trade away 2018 Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts meant the Niners were able to re-sign two of their other top free agents, defensive end Arik Armstead and safety Jimmie Ward, to new deals while also freeing up the would-be money they’d have to spend on Buckner’s new deal — $21 million annually with the Colts, per Over the Cap.
On the downside, the 49ers defense is worse without Buckner. There’s no getting around that.