Denver Broncos Potential Trade Deadline Moves
Oct 21, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) attempts to get to New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won the game 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL’s trade deadline is fast-approaching, and with the new rules in place teams have a couple of extra weeks to try and improve their team or make a move via trade. In previous years, the deadline was week six, and now it’s week eight.
The Broncos–and every other NFL team–have until Tuesday to make trades. Trading in the NFL isn’t nearly as common as other pro sports leagues like MLB, NHL, or the NBA because players have to come in and learn a complex offense/defense rather than just plugging and playing.
It’s a major reason why you hardly ever see big trades happen during the course of an NFL season, and a big reason why so many people were shocked at the move the Indianapolis Colts made to pick up Trent Richardson earlier this year.
The Broncos are already one of the best teams in the NFL, but they have holes and there are some big name players that could be available that they could consider swinging a deal for if the price is right. Here are some interesting options.
1. Trade for Vikings DE Jared Allen
This is a move I am fully on board with. The Broncos don’t have a pressing current need for a defensive end to start ahead of Robert Ayers, but we’re talking about Jared Allen here.
The Vikings would be wise to get value for Allen while they can, because he’s only going to be with the teams for another eight or nine weeks. Allen is a free agent in 2014 and is in the final year of a major contract he signed with the Vikings, getting paid $14 million this year.
Allen has played or will have played about half of his games by the time the trade deadline rolls around, so the Broncos would likely have to give up a second round pick or third round pick and another future conditional pick as well as $7 million in cap space (roughly) to acquire Allen.
That is a deal well-worth it. If the Broncos had to give up a player in the deal, maybe they could throw the Vikings a guy like Tony Carter with the emergence of Kayvon Webster as a rookie. The Vikings’ defensive backfield isn’t anything to write home about.
2. Trade for Jaguars DE Jason Babin
This is a deal that has been thrown around, but I’m not too keen on it. Babin doesn’t have a team-friendly enough contract for the amount of sacks he is producing, and he’s actually older than Jared Allen and has years left on his deal.
This would be a foolish move depending on the price, but I’ve read it on other sites so I threw it in here for that purpose only.
3. Trade for Browns WR Josh Gordon
If the Broncos don’t want to give Eric Decker a massive deal after this season, why not add Josh Gordon and rotate him in this season, keeping his team-friendly rookie contract through the 2015 season before he is a free agent in 2016 rather than paying Decker big money in 2014?
It’s something to think about, even though there’s 99.99% chance it wouldn’t happen. The Broncos will move pieces around to keep Decker, despite what’s been said to the contrary. He’s the most targeted receiver on the team and leads in yards. He’s a huge asset for the Broncos’ future.
4. Trade for Browns OT Joe Thomas
I never heard it reported from a major outlet, but there are rumors the Broncos contacted the Browns about Joe Thomas when Ryan Clady went down.
Couple things here.
1. Thomas’ massive contract
2. Price to get him
3. Where does he go when Clady returns?
In short, this would be a great trade to make on the Madden video game, but a terrible real life trade concept.
5. Trade for Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew
Why not?
The Broncos didn’t trust Knowshon Moreno enough to have him in the game on what could have been seven points toward beating the Colts last week (HILLMAN!!?!!!), so put your money where your mouth is…er whatever.
Why not trade for MJD if you aren’t buying into Knowshon as your closer? Jones-Drew could come on the cheap, and you pay him the final few games of this season as an audition for next season. The Broncos would have to decide if a gamble on MJD is worth a decent pick in next year’s draft.
6. Trade for Jared Allen
Did I mention this already?
Oh. Okay.
Get Jared Allen on the Broncos.