Denver Broncos: Trade deadline options with playoffs not impossible
1. Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Washington Football Team
This trade proposal presents perhaps one of the more interesting dilemmas among options actually available to the Denver Broncos right now.
When Von Miller went down with an injury the week the team was practicing to face the Tennessee Titans, Kerrigan’s name was immediately thrown out there as a replacement option.
With a base salary of $11.5 million, the Broncos likely decided the price was too steep, and even had talks with other veterans like Clay Matthews and Cameron Wake — likely at much lower price points — that ultimately didn’t end in any deals happening.
The Broncos have been getting by at the outside linebacker position for their first seven games this year, though Malik Reed has been coming on with five sacks in his last three games.
Even with Reed emerging and finishing plays with sacks, the Broncos’ edge depth could use a jolt.
Jeremiah Attaochu and Anthony Chickillo are not pressuring the QB with regularity, and Chickillo has been pretty regularly washed out in the running game.
Ryan Kerrigan has requested a trade out of Washington, according to one report:
Ryan Kerrigan has requested a trade from the Washington Football Team, per @AdamSchefter. Wow. He's not getting on the field and clearly wants that chance.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 1, 2020
If Kerrigan actually wants out of Washington, I’m sure the 3-4 Broncos are not exactly what he has in mind, but he could be an important piece for the Broncos, who have been shoved into the playoff-relevant conversation.
It would cost the Broncos just over $6 million this year to trade for Kerrigan. With his base salary of $11.5 million spread over 17 weeks and multiplied by the nine games Denver has left, is that investment (or risk) worth the Broncos potentially making the playoffs?
Many fans on Twitter like the idea, especially now that the Broncos have won three of their last four.
It’s not my money, so of course I’m for the idea. If it means getting the Broncos more productive off the edge in the pass rush department, sign me up.
Because of Kerrigan’s age, the fact that Washington is not playing him, the fact that he wants out, and the fact that he has an expiring contract, Washington would be lucky to get a 7th-round pick for him.