Denver Broncos: Grading and analyzing the Jurrell Casey trade
The Denver Broncos struck a trade for Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey. We grade and analyze the move and what it means going forward.
After striking a trade earlier in the offseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars for cornerback AJ Bouye, the Denver Broncos struck again by dealing for Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey.
The trade was first reported by Mike Klis of 9News in Denver.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports the Broncos traded only a seventh-round draft choice in exchange for Casey, which is an absolute steal for the Broncos.
The #Broncos have acquired Jurrell Casey for just a 7th round pick from the #Titans, source said. He carried a big salary.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020
Let’s take a closer look at this move for the Broncos and grade it based on the value of the trade, the ability of the player, and how badly they needed it.
The Trade
Contract value
The Broncos acquired the final three years of Casey’s contract with the Titans, which include base salaries of:
- 2020: $11.25 million
- 2021: $11.681 million
- 2022: $13.25 million
That rounds out to an average annual value of $12.06 million.
Considering what other defensive linemen are getting paid — more than $13 million per season — this is a nice value for the Broncos even though Casey is 30 years old this year.
The player
Jurrell Casey is, frankly, one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the NFL, at least to a national fan base. He has been to five Pro Bowls (in a row, 2015-19) and rightfully so as he averages 55 total tackles, six sacks, 15 QB hits, and 10 tackles for loss per 16 games over that timeframe.
He’s also been durable, only missing seven games in nine years.
One of the best penetrating interior linemen in the game, Casey is impossible to block one-on-one and he can come straight at your or kill you with stunts.
He’s versatile and can play a number of spots on the interior defensive line as well.
Value of trade
The Broncos only gave up a seventh-round pick — one they acquired from the New England Patriots — to make this deal.
Even considering the amount of salary they are taking on from Casey, they are getting an absolute steal at that price.
For completely different reasons, we’ve seen two trades made in less than 24 hours for players involving 7th-round picks. The Broncos moved Andy Janovich to the Browns for a future 7th-round pick, and they acquired Jurrell Casey for a 7th-rounder.
The Titans were clearly on the cusp of releasing him, but instead, the Broncos were able to give them something in return. The price of a 7th-round pick is virtually nothing for a player of Casey’s caliber. The Broncos won’t miss that pick.
Overall grade: A+
Even considering the contract the Broncos have acquired, they are paying average market value for a 30-year old defensive lineman who can be an impact starter immediately.
And they only gave up a 7th-round pick to get him.
dark. Next. Defensive linemen the Broncos can still target
This is a great trade, the exact kind of trade you want your team to make. The Broncos now have Jurrell Casey on the interior along with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, and they are obviously hopeful to continue improving the defensive line with Dre’Mont Jones also expected to take a jump in year two.