The Denver Broncos might become trade deadline sellers after four straight losses. What big-name players could be on the move if that’s the case?
If the Denver Broncos are not going to be in the postseason in 2021, then everything that can go must go.
The Broncos have a number of big-time players on their roster right now that, if made available, could help a number of teams around the league and could also help the Denver Broncos add to their hoard of 2022 NFL Draft selections or future assets in general.
Nobody wanted to talk about the Broncos being trade deadline sellers when the team was sitting a 3-0 just a few short weeks ago, but here we are.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
Four straight losses, uninspired play, and little hope at postseason contention with the way things have been going have all led us to this point. The Denver Broncos and general manager George Paton need to consider wholesale changes during the season, and that extends beyond just possibly replacing some coaches.
Trades can be made with a variety of motivations. Perhaps the Broncos want to get a clearer look at some young players to evaluate them with a larger sample size before next season. Perhaps they want to “do right” by a veteran player and get him in a spot to contribute on a winning team.
Whatever the motivations, the Broncos have plenty of reasons to trade a number of big-name players on the roster and especially if the team loses to Washington next week, we should see some guys on the move.
Who could be on the move?
Let’s take a look at seven players that could be trade deadline candidates if the Broncos are sellers.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
1. Melvin Gordon, RB
One of the top offensive weapons on the Denver Broncos’ roster right now is Melvin Gordon.
The veteran running back signed a two-year deal in 2020 free agency and has been pretty much as-advertised with the Broncos.
In 22 games with the Broncos, Gordon has 13 total touchdowns and is very capable as both a runner and receiver.
There are a number of teams across the NFL that have had issues at the running back position this season, and while there are certainly some that have been able to get by with cheaper help, a rental of Melvin Gordon could net the Denver Broncos a decent draft selection and it would allow the team (in theory, at least), to simply feature Javonte Williams and have Mike Boone or others just come in from time to time.
This running game in Denver needs to be the Javonte Williams show, at this point.
Gordon would be a great piece for the Denver Broncos to have in tandem with Williams if there were any signs that this coaching staff intended on using those backs in tandem, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
In the team’s recent loss to the Cleveland Browns, Williams and Gordon combined for just 12 carries.
Enough with the charade, just trade Gordon and give Williams all of the carries.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
2. Tim Patrick, WR
If Tim Patrick discourse were a roller coaster, we’d all be sick to our stomachs.
One day we are talking about trading him, the next we’re talking about extending him, then back to trading him, then back to extending, and so on and so forth.
Although Patrick is certainly deserving of a nice contract, it’s hard to know whether he will get it with the Denver Broncos.
There are so many wide receiver needy teams in the NFL and at this year’s trade deadline, will there be any better financial bargains available than Patrick?
Patrick has been sure-handed. He’s continued to develop into an absolute stud in the NFL, and on a team that actually excels at throwing the ball, Patrick would be a great asset.
There could be some seller’s remorse if the Broncos get rid of Patrick, but some playoff-contending team should be willing to give up a nice day two draft pick to get him off the Broncos’ hands with plans of extending him later on.
The Broncos have Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy coming back, and they have young guys on the roster like Kendall Hinton, Seth Williams, and Tyrie Cleveland, along with others.
Get the young guys reps and get maximum value for Tim Patrick. There’s no reason to wait for a compensatory selection here with how unreliable those can be in the long run, especially as active as we hope the Broncos will be on the free agent market in pursuit of finding some upgrades for the roster.
Broncos: Big-time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
3. Graham Glasgow, OG
One of the highest-priced players on the Denver Broncos, trading Graham Glasgow would have a number of benefits for the Denver Broncos over the long term.
First of all, you would be getting some salary cap relief. Glasgow counts $8.4 million against the Broncos’ salary cap this season, and $17.8 million combined over the next two years after that.
A trading team would not be forced to pay that to Glasgow, but for teams ailing on the interior offensive line, Glasgow can help at guard or center.
Second, trading Glasgow would obviously net you some future draft capital.
Third, it would allow the Broncos to get Netane Muti or Quinn Meinerz in a full-time starting role.
Again, getting young players would be a key motivation for the Denver Broncos in a number of these moves.
Glasgow might not have great value at this point given some of the injuries he’s sustained in Denver, but if the Broncos could get a decent pick for him, it might be worth shopping him around.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
4. Von Miller, EDGE
Let’s get something straight — I’m not saying the Denver Broncos should trade Von Miller.
I would never say that.
What I will say is, if Von Miller goes to George Paton and asks for a trade, Paton should consider it.
Miller’s massive $18 million contract option was picked up this offseason, and he’s obviously getting paid a lot of money this season by the Broncos. With that being said, Miller could probably net the Broncos something really good in a trade because of the kind of difference maker he is, and it would also save the Broncos a lot on the salary cap this year and carry over into next year.
Again, this kind of deal would need to be something that was initiated by Miller himself.
The Broncos don’t need to move away from Von Miller and they shouldn’t force the issue. Miller is a legendary player in Broncos history and he deserves better than just being shopped around at the deadline.
But teams will likely be calling.
Miller is an elite edge player and given that he is on an expiring contract, he would be a win-now rental for some team before hitting free agency in 2022.
If it can happen to Demaryius Thomas, though, it could probably happen to Miller.
To reiterate once more, any trade of Von Miller should only happen if Miller is the one requesting it. If he is given the option and wants to stay in Denver, the Broncos should work to make that happen so Miller can retire a Bronco.
But this possibility needs to be brought up given Miller is in the final year of his contract.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
5. Kyle Fuller, CB
After being scooped up by the Denver Broncos immediately after the Chicago Bears released him in the 2021 offseason, Kyle Fuller has proven to be one of the bigger free agency disappointments league-wide.
Fuller, who played outstanding football for Vic Fangio when the two were together in Chicago, has been the victim of a bunch of big plays given up in the passing game early this season.
In fact, Fangio and the defensive coaching staff made the tough decision to actually bench Fuller.
Other than coming in as an injury replacement for a couple of plays in the team’s loss to the Raiders, Fuller has not been doing anything in the last couple of weeks.
Still, this league is starved for good help at the cornerback position, and the Broncos have a lot of them.
In the not-so-distant future, 2020 third-round pick Michael Ojemudia should be coming back from an injury he suffered in the preseason and he should be getting whatever snaps the Broncos would be giving to Kyle Fuller.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
6. Bryce Callahan, CB
Unlike Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan has been outstanding for the Denver Broncos.
Not only this season, but Callahan was one of the team’s best defensive players in 2020 as well.
Given his injury history and the fact that he has just one year left on his contract with the Broncos, it would make a lot of sense for the Broncos to shop Callahan around.
His name has already come up in trade rumors this season, so it would be shocking if teams didn’t call the Broncos again as the November 2 deadline approaches.
Callahan is primarily a slot corner, but he has proven that he can also be effective playing the outside cornerback position as well.
Again, there is no shortage in the NFL right now of teams looking for help at the cornerback position.
Bryce Callahan would be a huge asset for some team and might be one of the Broncos’ most logical and valuable players they could be considering trading away if they are deadline sellers.
Part of the motivation here? Essang Bassey and Duke Dawson are coming back from injury in the near future. They could step into Callahan’s role if he is traded away.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
7. Kareem Jackson, S
The Denver Broncos and general manager George Paton already let Kareem Jackson go once.
Who’s to say they wouldn’t do it again?
After initially declining Jackson’s 2021 contract option, Paton left the door open for a return and Jackson wound up coming back to Denver.
With just a one-year deal, Jackson could be a coveted trade target for teams looking for a versatile player who has been outstanding in the NFL at corner, safety, and as a nickel.
Jackson is one of the Broncos’ older players, and trading him would pave the way for the team to get more playing time certainly for stud rookie Caden Sterns, and possibly even more playing time for Jamar Johnson down the line as well.
Even though the Broncos would probably prefer to have their whole secondary intact and compete for the postseason in 2021, that just doesn’t appear to be in the cards at the moment and players like Jackson could net the Broncos something now before they ultimately get them nothing in the end.
Would you rather keep Jackson, miss the playoffs, forsake this year of potential experience on the field for Caden Sterns, and get nothing in return for Jackson?
Broncos major changes must start with Pat Shurmur, Teddy Bridgewater
The Denver Broncos need to make some major changes after dropping their fourth straight game, a loss to the beaten up Cleveland Browns.
These are the kinds of decisions facing George Paton as the NFL trade deadline approaches.