Denver Broncos: Why John Elway’s trades were the best offseason moves

Trades provide additional cap flexibility

The cap flexibility provided by trades actually comes in two parts.

First, trades can help fill a position of need (in this case cornerback and 3-4 defensive end) while not making the team bid against other teams in the free market world of free agency.

For example, former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones was often linked to the Broncos heading into free agency. There was a need, and he would have been a good fit.

The only issue, however, is that the Broncos would have to bid against other teams who might be willing to spend a bit more such as the Miami Dolphins who eventually handed over a contract worth $82.5 million over five years.

That equates to a minimum cap hit of $16 million per season, which is $2.5 million more than Bouye’s cap hits in the next two seasons. So in essence, while the Broncos had to give up a high day three pick for Bouye, they also eliminated the need to have a bidding war for a talented player on the open market.

The other main value, from a cap flexibility perspective, associated with trades is that it eliminates a significant portion of the risk in the form of dead money. If these trades don’t work out and Bouye or Casey struggle significantly, the Broncos can get out of the deals next season without a single penny of dead money.

Now, think back to the situations that unfolded this past offseason with Ja’Waun James and Bryce Callahan. Although I don’t necessarily think the Broncos should cut either player despite hardly seeing the field this past season due to injuries, it would have been nice to have the option on the table.

Yet, they both signed with Denver through free agency and carry significant dead money with them if released. Releasing James would result in $19 million worth of dead money, and releasing Callahan would result in a little over $6 million in dead money.

If Bouye and Casey play well this season, that’s fantastic. If they don’t, it was a nice flyer by the Broncos. In essence, these trades were perfect low-risk, high-reward moves, which leads me to my final point.