Could the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins come together on a trade in 2022? Let’s take a look through some of the possibilities.
The Denver Broncos are set to report for training camp next week, but is general manager George Paton done tinkering with the roster?
Not a chance.
Paton is always looking for ways to wheel and deal, especially with only five draft choices for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Even with only five picks in the 2023 Draft, Paton has plenty of future picks and other players that could be attractive in trades to other teams. With a strong relationship with Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier, could we see the Broncos and Dolphins come together on a trade in 2022?
Denver Broncos-Miami Dolphins trade option no. 1: Dolphins send a TE to Denver
The Miami Dolphins have a ton of tight ends on their roster.
The question is — what are they going to do with all of them?
Here’s a quick look at the (notable) tight ends the Dolphins currently have under contract:
- Mike Gesicki
- Durham Smythe
- Adam Shaheen
- Hunter Long
- Cethan Carter
The Denver Broncos may not have an overly pressing need at the tight end position right now, but it’s probably safe to say that tight end is the “worst” position group currently on the Broncos’ roster.
At least, offensively.
Even though the Dolphins and Mike Gesicki failed to reach a long-term agreement on a contract, I don’t think they’d be overly interested in trading him to Denver at this point nor should the Broncos be up for paying that price.
Players like Durham Smythe, Adam Shaheen, and even 2021 third-round pick Hunter Long, though?
I’d be asking the price on those guys.
If you could get someone like Smythe, Shaheen, or Long for a late pick in the 2023 or 2024 NFL Draft, ideally in 2024, that’s a worthwhile addition at this point when you have two young guys at the top of your depth chart like Albert Okwuegbunam and Greg Dulcich.
Denver Broncos-Miami Dolphins trade idea no. 2: LB Sam Eguavoen to the Broncos
With a base salary of just $1 million, Sam Eguavoen could be one of the better bargains on the trade market if the Miami Dolphins make him available as roster cuts approach.
First of all, why would the Denver Broncos want to acquire a player like this?
If the tight end position is the weakest position on the Denver Broncos’ roster offensively, then linebacker probably takes the cake when it comes to the defensive side of the ball.
The Broncos have high hopes for Jonas Griffith and understandably so after what he showed near the end of last season.
They also clearly believe that Josey Jewell is going to look good coming back from that pectoral injury.
With Alex Singleton providing some depth, the Broncos have three linebackers they feel they can rely on.
Beyond that?
Yikes.
Sam Eguavoen has been a core special teams player for the Dolphins and for that reason, he may not be the likeliest trade candidate unless the Broncos make a compelling offer.
Not only has Eguavoen been valuable on special teams, but he added seven QB hits last year playing just 18 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps.
On top of that, he had a career-high 10 pressures.
Back in the 2019 season when he got his most extensive action defensively, he racked up seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and nine QB hits.
Although he’s 29, Eguavoen could be a key piece of your defense and special teams and you might not have to pay all that much to get him.
Denver Broncos-Miami Dolphins trade option no. 3: CB Noah Igbinoghene to the Broncos
One of the things I think the Denver Broncos could do more of in the George Paton era?
Take some calculated risks on reclamation projects.
I’ve got no qualms with Paton’s philosophy of collecting picks rather than collecting reclamation projects, but if you believe you’ve got a coaching staff that can maximize top talent, I think you need to be more willing to take on the reclamation project types of players.
Noah Igbinoghene was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Auburn, a converted wide receiver and an absolute freak of an athlete.
He has barely played through his first two seasons with the Dolphins and Miami now seemingly has a solidified group in the secondary that doesn’t include him.
Perhaps the Dolphins will look at Igbinoghene and wonder if they should just get something for him while they still can.
Byron Jones will be starting camp on the PUP so perhaps Igbinoghene will have his best chance yet to prove his worth.
If the Dolphins are ready to move on regardless, the Denver Broncos should be interested if they can get him for a future late pick.
3 veteran free agents the Denver Broncos should sign right now
The Denver Broncos could still look into tinkering with their roster ahead of training camp. Here are three veterans they should be trying to sign.
Igbinoghene could provide some much-needed depth for the Broncos at the outside corner position and perhaps an option beyond this year if the team decides not to keep Ronald Darby.