5 trades the Denver Broncos could make before the roster is set

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Denver Broncos roster; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Malik Reed (59) speaks to the media following OTA workouts at the UC Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos trade idea no. 2: EDGE Malik Reed to the Baltimore Ravens

Broncos get:

2023 5th-round pick
FB Ben Mason

Ravens get:

EDGE Malik Reed

The Baltimore Ravens may not just need an edge player to contribute — they might need a starter out there. Tyus Bowser is still making his way back from an Achilles injury suffered last year. The Ravens are expecting big things from 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh, but he can’t do it alone out there. They did bring back veteran Justin Houston, but he’s best served in a reserve role at this stage of his career.

Additionally, the Ravens did add David Ojabo in this year’s draft, but Ojabo isn’t going to be able to play much this year, if at all. With all of that in mind, the Ravens seem like the perfect team to trade with the Denver Broncos for Malik Reed, who deserves to go to a new NFL team that’s going to be able to give him plenty of playing time.

Reed has been a spot starter for the Broncos with injuries to Von Miller and Bradley Chubb over the last handful of years, and he’s only going to cost some team a little under $3 million. The Broncos could look at this as an opportunity to not only get Reed to a better situation (with snaps going to Bradley Chubb, Randy Gregory, Nik Bonitto, and Baron Browning, among others) but also to save some cap space and add to the 2023 NFL Draft war chest.

I included fullback Ben Mason in this deal for a couple of reasons. Number one, it seems like the Broncos are going to use a fullback in this offense. Number two, I’m not sure Andrew Beck is really the right fit for that role based on what we’ve seen early on.

I initially thought the Ravens could send the Broncos a fourth-round pick for Reed, which they could, but they actually have two fifth-round picks right now and they also have two fullbacks (Patrick Ricard is not going anywhere, most likely). This would allow the Broncos to get a true fullback on the roster if they intend on using one as well as add a draft pick, and save some cap space.

Meanwhile, the Ravens would be getting an edge player who can help them immediately, and someone who has started plenty of games over the last few years as the team has dealt with injuries. This seems like a huge win for all involved.

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