Report: Denver Broncos Could Be Interested in CB Darrelle Revis

Nov 17, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos are no strangers to bold moves.

In 2012, they signed Peyton Manning. In 2013, they poached Wes Welker from the Patriots. In 2014?

That big move remains unknown at this point, but they reportedly have interest in making another huge move. According to Pro Football Talk, John Elway and company may have interest in making a move for All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis.

There’s a theory in league circles that, this time around, other teams want Revis more than his current team wants to trade him.  While the $16 million cap figure remains a lot to allocate to a cornerback who prefers playing full-time man-to-man in a system that relies heavily on zone coverage, the sense is that the chatter is coming from teams that would pay the amount for a year or two as part of an all-in effort to win a Super Bowl.

The speculation has centered most prominently on the Patriots and Broncos.  Both teams have aging franchise quarterbacks who have managed to contend but not conquer in recent years.  Both teams are running out of chances to finish the job.

There will be major hurdles if the Broncos want to acquire Revis from the Buccaneers. First of all, the Bucs have maintained they don’t necessarily want to trade Revis, or that they have no intention of doing it whatsoever. Second, Revis has a huge $16M annual price tag. Whatever team trades for him is going to have to deal with that.

The belief is, at least according to PFT, that a team like Denver or New England would be willing to pay that hefty price to have Revis for a year or two so they can make a run at a title.

The salary cap increase to $133 million this year and probably close to $145 million next year makes this a lot easier to swallow, since teams that once had tight cap situations will now have plenty of room to work with.

The Broncos can make such a move work by taking Champ Bailey’s $10 million off the books or at least re-structuring it. The thought also is that the Broncos are working to re-sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and if he is re-signed, it would be odd to see Denver trade for another big name cornerback.

Draft pick compensation is also something I would be concerned about. The Bucs have arguably the best corner in the NFL. They aren’t just going to let him go for nothing, especially since they are so invested in him as the cornerstone piece of the defense. It could cost a 1st and 2nd round pick, or maybe even multiple first round picks.

It would be a hefty price to pay, but if the Broncos are serious about it they could find a way to make it work financially.