Denver Broncos: Who will step up after Von Miller trade?
Well, Broncos Country, it happened. Von Miller is no longer with the Denver Broncos, as he has just been traded to the Los Angeles Rams, joining forces with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
I never thought I would see the day, but after 11 years, the Denver Broncos have traded Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams, for a 2022 2nd and 2022 3rd round pick.
One day after the Broncos beat an uninspiring Washington Football Team, George Paton makes a deal with the Rams to trade Von Miller.
On the surface, I am happy for Von, especially since he gets to go to a team that is clearly all-in. Matthew Stafford is an MVP candidate, and the Rams sit at 7-1. Their defense just got that much better, so I think it’s safe to say that we can all root for them to win it all.
Denver Broncos: Super Bowl MVP Von Miller has been Traded
It’s sad to see the face of the franchise get traded like this, but the NFL is a business, so it’s easy to see why George Paton made this decision.
He has full control over the roster and wants to help this team for the long term. Perhaps Miller approached Paton, asking to be traded. However it went down, he is no longer a Denver Bronco, and we are going to have to come to grips with this.
What does this mean for the long-term, though? Who will step up along the EDGE?
Well, Bradley Chubb is a few weeks from returning, so we’ll get to see him over the last stretch of the season.
Malik Reed has been solid for a couple of years now, peaking around a low-end starter pace. Jonathon Cooper looks like an absolute steal in the 7th round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Broncos also just traded for Stephen Weatherly, who looks to contribute as a rotational guy.
Baron Browning also has the size and ability to come off the edge as well, but there’s still a clear need for more production, now that Miller is gone.
The Denver Broncos, according to my calculations, now have one 1st, two 2nds, and two 3rds in the 2022 NFL Draft. Being that George Paton just made this deal, he probably parts with some other veterans as well.
Stockpiling draft picks is one of the best ways to build a solid team long-term, and something that George Paton made note of when he first got to Denver.
Another reason why acquiring picks helps is if the Broncos want to chase a veteran quarterback next offseason, namely Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers.
Having two more high draft picks certainly helps since the Broncos will surely be in a battle to acquire either of their services.
With the Broncos sitting at 4-4, they are still very much alive in the playoff picture, but it’s clear that the offense isn’t getting it done, and the defense is missing a few starters.
I trust George Paton and his roster-building techniques, so I have no doubt that the Broncos will be good in the long term.
It does sting in the short term, but that’s not how a team like the Broncos needs to be operating. They need to right the ship, and looking long-term is the best way to do that.