Denver Broncos: Trade candidates currently on the roster
Menelik Watson, OT
Before fans start laughing that this list is full of players who are un-tradeable at this point, let me remind you that the Broncos — in less than a year’s time — traded Ty Sambrailo and Trevor Siemian for fifth-round draft picks.
Nothing is impossible.
There will be NFL teams looking for possible swing starting tackles and right now, the Broncos actually have three guys that could fill that role in Watson, Billy Turner, and Cyrus Kouandjio.
Since Turner and Kouandjio are cheaper and younger, the logical odd-man out is Watson, whom the team was pretty pleased with working as the backup right guard.
They may keep him simply for that role, but as injuries pop up in the NFL, one position that is nearly impossible to find any replacements off the street is at tackle.
Look at the Cleveland Browns, who are trotting out former first-round bust Greg Robinson at left tackle in place of retired Joe Thomas.
They had an entire offseason to try and replace Thomas, too.
If Watson is available, there might be teams willing to take on his salary for a year before his dead money count in 2019 goes way down.
Watson’s cap charge to the Broncos this year is $8.29 million, but they can save almost $5.72 million against the cap if they are able to trade him. If the Broncos wanted to cut Watson? Well, they really can’t. They would take on a dead money charge of nearly $7 million.
Watson’s got a pretty good agent.
Unless the Broncos are absolutely sold that Watson can be a stud at offensive guard, they should let teams know he’s available for trade.