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5 Players the Denver Broncos Should Target at the Trade Deadline

ByJacob Weindling|
Jan 13, 2015; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway speaks to the media at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2015; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway speaks to the media at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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With the AFC West completely up for grabs, the Broncos need all the help they can get. There are plenty of good players on bad teams who would be good fits.

Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) attempts to make a reception as Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) defends during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) attempts to make a reception as Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) defends during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL moved the trade deadline back to week 8 in the hopes that it would encourage a more active market. The Broncos could have single-handedly validated this decision had they completed last year’s trade for All-World left tackle Joe Thomas, but alas, Shaq Barrett is just too damn good to give up. This year the Broncos clearly need help, especially on offense.

One of the central issues in the run game is the lack of a third option in the passing game. The defense can commit extra resources to DT and Sanders and still keep enough defenders in the box to guard against the play action. The trickery built into Kubiak’s offense doesn’t matter if only two pass catchers need to be respected.

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The offensive line is inconsistent, as two positions in particular are sore spots. The defense has been its otherworldly self in second halves, but they’ve been closer to the Cleveland Browns than Super Bowl Champions on opening drives. Losing Malik Jackson really hurt the interior pass rush. Sadly, impact replacements probably still do not realistically exist out on the trade market.

There still are good players for the taking though. By pushing the deadline back to week 8, the NFL created more sellers. The Browns, Jets, Bears, and 49ers can all start planning for next year, and Miami, Carolina, Cincinnati, San Diego, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay aren’t far behind.

That means that the contenders will be circling like buzzards, looking to pick at the carcasses dotted across the league. Here are 5 players the Broncos should consider trading for.

(note: most trades are minor, so the Broncos would be giving up 4th-7th round picks in these deals)

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