49ers make risky DeForest Buckner trade with Colts

The San Francisco 49ers traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick. It’s a major gamble.

Nothing waged, nothing gained.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch took a significant chance on Monday afternoon, trading Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Lynch’s rationale is understandable. The 49ers are loaded on the defensive line and if trading Buckner means the chance to land a top receiver in a generational rookie crop, it’s worth the price. If the 49ers replace Emmanuel Sanders with Ceedee Lamb or Henry Ruggs III, the offense becomes a video game.

However, there’s a hidden risk. The 49ers’ biggest strength on their Super Bowl jaunt was their pass rush while simultaneously shutting down the run.

With Buckner gone, San Francisco needs Dee Ford to remain healthy.

To that end, Ford missed 22 percent of the Niners defensive snaps in 2019 due to a nagging hamstring injury. In his six-year career, Ford has missed 18 games.

If Ford isn’t on the field, teams now have license to double or chip Bosa while providing help on Arik Armstead. It becomes much easier for a good team to contain San Francisco’s rush while working away from Bosa when running.

Of course, this could come up aces for Lynch. The Niners could get a healthy year out of Ford — he’s playing 16 games twice — and while he’s a liability against the run, he’s a terrific speed rusher off the edge. A healthy Ford means a nasty pass rush.

Moving on from Armstead makes sense in many ways, including the pursuit of another weapon in the passing game for Jimmy Garoppolo. Now armed with the 13th and 31st-overall selections, the 49ers can nab one of the top receivers while taking a cornerback with their second first-round choice.

Buckner is a terrific player, and he’ll help the Colts. The 49ers are going to miss him, but how much remains to be seen.