The Denver Broncos emerged victorious on Sunday against Washington, but could they still trade running back Melvin Gordon to the Titans?
The Denver Broncos found a way to beat the Washington Football Team at home on Sunday, and even though it was one of the ugliest wins you’ll probably ever see, it was a win nonetheless.
The Broncos might not have won this game at all if not for the contributions of running back Melvin Gordon, who added a rushing and receiving touchdown.
So far this season, Gordon has five total touchdowns, keeping him on pace with what has become a seemingly annual routine of at least 10 total scores.
Broncos: Melvin Gordon an option for Titans with Derrick Henry hurt?
The Broncos, now 4-4 on the season after the win to close out October, do not seem overly likely to be “sellers” at the 2021 NFL trade deadline. With that being said, they also might not turn down the opportunity to upgrade the roster or NFL Draft selection war chest if the price is right.
Melvin Gordon is in a contract year, making him an obvious potential trade candidate under the right circumstances.
Running backs in the NFL are a dime a dozen, it seems, but Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is a rare breed. A legitimate workhorse back and MVP candidate, Henry was enjoying one of the best seasons for a running back in NFL history heading into Sunday’s action, where he suffered a foot injury that might end his season prematurely.
What’s crazy about this: Derrick Henry returned to the game. It’s not even clear when he suffered the injury that could keep him out about 8 weeks if the MRI confirms the Jones fracture. https://t.co/CA2jv8fU9g
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2021
If the season ended today, the Titans would be the top seed in the AFC. Without Derrick Henry, though?
What are they?
They still might be a good or even very good team, but without Derrick Henry, they are no longer a great team.
Henry was not only a league MVP candidate, but he was unquestionably the MVP of the Tennessee Titans and has been for the last three seasons, literally carrying that squad into the postseason.
Without Henry, the Titans need reinforcements. Jeremy McNichols? Khari Blasingame? Dontrell Hilliard? Mekhi Sargent?
Those are the names behind Derrick Henry on the Titans’ depth chart right now, none of which offer what Melvin Gordon can.
There might be other running backs available in a trade for the Titans, but with his contract expiring after this season and the Broncos having Javonte Williams and Mike Boone to feature in his place, could Denver move Gordon for the right price?
What would the right price be?
At this point, is Gordon worth more than a 4th or 5th-round pick for Denver to play the rest of this season?
It’s really difficult to say at this point in time, and general manager George Paton has tough decisions to make.
The trade deadline is not coming at the most convenient time and this kind of trade would have been easy to call a no-brainer were it not for the Broncos winning on Sunday versus Washington.
Don’t get me wrong — winning was far more important than losing and having clarity on the trade market. However, despite the victory, the Denver Broncos should be confident that they could move on from Gordon if the offer is right.
Gordon is still playing at a high level and the Titans obviously need a back they can feature in their offense.
Broncos: Big time players that could be traded if they are deadline sellers
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?
What is appropriately replacing Derrick Henry worth to Tennessee?
We’re fixing to find out.