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Denver Broncos: 3 trades that could help fix hole left by Ja’Wuan James

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo (70) takes the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo (70) takes the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) and defensive tackle Nick Williams (97) following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) and defensive tackle Nick Williams (97) following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Broncos are still mulling over their options at the right tackle position.

When Ja’Wuan James went down with a season-ending injury last week, the team was sent scrambling to the drawing board to work up some plans. There are several options, including free agency and signing a veteran, but trading for a right tackle is something the team should consider as well.

On Wednesday, the Broncos are set to host some veterans including Dennis Kelly and Bobbie Massey, but if none of those players look like what the team has in mind, there are 31 other teams George Paton can approach about a swap.

On Tuesday, the team did reach terms on a contract with free-agent offensive tackle Ryan Pope, but that move should be considered a minor transaction as Pope will likely just be extra depth for training camp.

Taking a look around the league, there are a few players the Broncos might be able to obtain in a trade without giving up a hefty amount. Though none of these players will make you jump out of your seat, these are all guys who may be better options than what the team currently has on the roster.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Detroit Lions

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 20: Halapoulivaati Vaitai #72 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 20: Halapoulivaati Vaitai #72 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Vaitai is in just the second year of a five-year contract with the Detroit Lions, but he has a lot of playing experience for a guy who will be a backup in Detroit.

The Lions have Taylor Decker on the roster and they just used a first-round pick on Penei Sewell, meaning they could be interested in moving Vaitai, who started 10 games for them last season.

Vaitai was chosen in the fifth round of the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent four seasons there and played in 55 games for the team, making 20 starts. He has more starting experience than all of the potential right tackles on the Broncos’ roster combined.

Vaitai did sign a $50 million deal with the Lions last year, so the Broncos would probably like to see him restructure his deal or the team would likely opt for one of the veteran free agents they bring in.

But if the Broncos were interested, Vaitai is a player the Lions might want to get off their books, as only five players on their roster have bigger contracts. If the Lions were to trade Vaitai after June 1, it would save them $9 million against the salary cap.

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