Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas and players available for trade

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field as he warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field as he warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos appeals to the referee for a touchdown call after making a catch on the edge of the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The catch was ruled a touchdown. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos appeals to the referee for a touchdown call after making a catch on the edge of the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The catch was ruled a touchdown. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Demaryius Thomas, WR

The Broncos trading Demaryius Thomas would be a very tough pill to swallow, that’s for certain.

Thomas has been one of the best players in Denver Broncos history since he was drafted by the team in 2010, and is closing in on some all-time records of Rod Smith’s.

To trade Thomas at this point in his career would be devastating to much of Broncos Country, but if the Broncos are getting strong offers for the veteran receiver, they might have to take one.

The Broncos would eat roughly $3.5 million in dead money against the 2019 salary cap if they trade Thomas, but they would also save $14 million. They can’t justify paying Thomas over $17 million next season, and trading him next offseason might be even more difficult than it would seem to be right now.

Thomas is still capable of being productive despite occasionally struggling with dropped passes. He has been out-performed by Emmanuel Sanders this season, who looks as fast and dynamic as he ever has.

Thomas’ sentimental value for the Broncos is arguably his greatest asset at this point, so if some team feels like they can extract from him what the Broncos currently are not (33 receptions in seven games), the Broncos might be wise to take their offer.

The only thing that would be disappointing here is if the Broncos give Thomas away for essentially nothing. Though Aqib Talib was a better player, Thomas’ value to the franchise has much deeper roots and letting him go for a late-round pick would be an ugly ending to a stellar career with the team.

Home/Broncos Rumors