Denver Broncos: How to fix the team for the long-term future

Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 10: Melvin Gordon #25 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Cameron Heyward #97 and Arthur Maulet #35 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field on October 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 10: Melvin Gordon #25 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Cameron Heyward #97 and Arthur Maulet #35 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field on October 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

2. Trade Away Veterans for Draft Capital

As much as we would hate to see certain players go, it only makes sense if the Broncos blow it up.

Guys that come to mind are Melvin Gordon, Kyle Fuller, Graham Glasgow, Bryce Callahan, and Kareem Jackson.

All of these players are or were starters and have a lot of talent.  However, none of the players mentioned are young and present a viable long-term reason to stay on the team beyond this year.

I think the Broncos could net around a 4th round pick for each player, which General Manager George Paton can either use to draft players or use to put a trade package together for a certain player.

Kyle Fuller only played two snaps on Sunday, and it’s clear that the team favors Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain II on the outside.  Fuller will probably fall even further out of favor and be moved before the deadline.

Melvin Gordon is a solid running back and has been for his whole career, but it’s clear that Javonte Williams is the future RB1, and depending on who you talk to, is the better running back.  Trading Gordon away and giving Williams more carries makes the most sense for the long-term future of the team.

Graham Glasgow is on a $44 million contract he signed a couple of years ago, and he really hasn’t been that good.  However, a team competing for a playoff spot might want Glasgow to help bolster their interior offensive line.

Even though Glasgow hasn’t been great for Denver, he didn’t sign a $44 million contract because he’s bad at football.  Many teams would surely enjoy his services, and the Broncos should take advantage of this.

As for Bryce Callahan and Kareem Jackson, both are very talented defensive backs who still have loads of value.  Again, a team competing for a playoff spot that needs a secondary boost can offer the Broncos something for either player.

Bryce Callahan is still one of the better cornerbacks in the league, and the safety tandem of Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson is the best in the league.

The Broncos can probably do better than a 4th for Callahan, but because of Jackson’s age, teams might not be willing to pay that high of a price.