49ers Trade 2027 Sixth-Round Pick to Colts for WR Keenan Allen

The 49ers are bolstering an injury-thinned receiving corps Tuesday, acquiring wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Colts for a 2027 sixth-round pick, ESPN reported, citing NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Ringer's Tom Pelissero first reported the full package.

The deal is a modest but timely add for San Francisco, which is 7-1 with the best record in the NFC after Sunday's win over the Raiders. The 49ers have been looking for pass-catching help for weeks. Mike Evans, who has been dealing with an Achilles injury, and Deebo Samuel both missed Sunday's game, Ricky Pearsall is out for the season with a torn PCL, and Christian Kirk was placed on injured reserve with a meniscus injury. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling is also on IR. Brandon Aiyuk was reinstated Monday but is under a two-week roster exemption and is not immediately available. San Francisco visits the Cowboys on Sunday.

Allen, 34, is in his 14th NFL season and a six-time Pro Bowl selection. The Chargers drafted him in the third round in 2013, and after a 2024 season in Chicago he returned to Los Angeles last year, catching 81 passes for 777 yards and four touchdowns. The Colts signed him in August to a one-year deal, and he has 40 receptions for 351 yards and a touchdown this season.

That profile fits a deadline rental. Because Allen is in the final year of his contract, the 49ers are buying a few months of a proven route-runner for Brock Purdy, not a long-term piece. A 2027 sixth is a modest price for a contender that has already been active before the deadline.

This is the second trade between these clubs in two weeks. Indianapolis already sent DeForest Buckner back to San Francisco for a 2027 fourth-round pick, and earlier dealt Quenton Nelson to Seattle for a 2027 third and a 2028 fifth. The Colts are 2-7 after Sunday's loss to the Cowboys and have been turning veterans into draft capital as they reshape the roster. They host the Dolphins on Sunday.