The Denver Broncos could be looking to move on from some players in order to have some assets to be able to improve the team next season.
Following a 16-9 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, this scenario is becoming even more likely. The Broncos sit at 2-5 and face the reality that the Seattle Seahawks own their first two picks in the 2023 draft.
Though it would be tough to move on from some of these players, the Broncos have been receiving calls already on some of their top names.
Here, I will take a look at an ideal spot for the Broncos to send some of the players that could come up in trade talks.
You will not see a team within the AFC West on this, as that is not likely to happen. Each of these teams will be a contender, looking to make a splash move to complete their pursuit of a championship this season.
In return, the Broncos will get back some of the precious draft capital that they gave up when they traded for Russell Wilson this offseason.
On a side note, Melvin Gordon is a player that the Broncos should part ways with, but he is only under contract for the rest of this season, the Broncos are thin at running back and they likely would not get much in return for him. They’ll likely ride it out with him for the rest of 2022.
Broncos send Bradley Chubb to the Philadelphia Eagles
The first name up is the most valuable one the Broncos could potentially have available for a contending team looking to make a deal.
It would be a shame for the Broncos to have to make this move as Bradley Chubb is finally having a good, healthy campaign. But he would also fetch a decent return and the team could potentially get back the second-round pick it sent away to land Wilson.
The Philadelphia Eagles remain undefeated and have a clear path in a weak NFC to reach the Super Bowl. Adding an edge rusher such as Chubb could put them over the top.
The Eagles signed Haasan Reddick as a free agent during the offseason and bringing in Chubb to put on a defense that also includes Fletcher Cox, Josh Sweat and Darius Slay could make them the favorites to win the NFC.
Chubb, a former first-round pick, is still just 26 years old and could have many years of solid football left in him. The Eagles get one of the league’s best young pass-rushers and the Broncos get a couple of draft picks in return.
George Paton traded Von Miller away ahead of the deadline last year and he could do it again this year. That trade led to Miller earning a ring with the Los Angeles Rams.
Broncos trade Albert Okwuegbunam to Tennessee Titans
The Broncos just need to move on from Albert Okwuegbunam at any cost at this point as he just doesn’t seem to have much of a future with this team. For the last two weeks, he has been on the gameday inactive list, not even suiting up.
It seemed that he was the tight end of the future in Denver after the team traded away Noah Fant but he has fallen out of favor as Nathaniel Hackett’s offense has preferred the tight ends that can block and be receivers in the passing game.
Rookie Greg Dulcich, now healthy, looks like a solid future piece as well.
The Tennessee Titans improved to 4-2 on the season following a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 and have the lead in the AFC South division. They have a solid roster from top to bottom but could certainly use more help at the tight end position.
On the year, the Titans have gotten a total of 20 receptions out of the tight end spot. If Okwuegbunam could go there and help stretch the field, giving the team another weapon in the passing game, it could be the piece that makes the offense that much more dangerous.
The Broncos likely would not get much in return, but they would take it as Okwuegbunam is just taking up a space on the roster right now.
Broncos send K.J. Hamler to Dallas Cowboys
The Broncos used a second-round pick on K.J. Hamler in the 2020 draft and it was a strange pick at the time considering that they had also taken a wide receiver in the first round. Still, it was an intriguing pick due to the speed and deep-play threat he had shown in college.
It has not worked out in Denver, at all.
Hamler has fought through injuries and has just never been on the field enough to make an impact on the team. Though he has shown flashes as a deep-play guy, he won’t ever live up to the second-round status that he was drafted with.
Hamler has caught just six passes this season.
The Dallas Cowboys are sitting at 5-2 on the season and are still in third place in a tough NFC East. It has been clear for some time that the team could use some more weapons in the passing game.
The Cowboys could have easily been looking at the kind of season the Broncos are following the hand injury that Dak Prescott sustained in the season opener. But backup quarterback Cooper Rush did a fantastic job in his stead and with Prescott now back under center, it makes sense for the Cowboys to make a move.
Broncos ship Jerry Jeudy to Green Bay Packers
Jerry Jeudy was supposed to be one of the key pieces of the team’s offense after the Broncos chose him No. 15 overall in 2020. He hasn’t exactly been terrible, but he hasn’t proven that he was worth that selection by any stretch.
Because the Broncos could still net a decent return due to his perceived value, he should absolutely be dealt. A team like the Green Bay Packers, needy for another wide receiver, makes a lot of sense.
The Packers traded away Davante Adams in the offseason and the offense just doesn’t look the same with Aaron Rodgers throwing to guys like Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs and Sammy Watkins.
Jeudy could go to a place like that and play with a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback and have a chance to completely turn his career around. In return, the Broncos get back another day two pick in next spring’s draft.
Following a loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, the Packers slipped to 3-4 on the season. The team knows that the clock is ticking on the career of Rodgers and help is needed.
This move makes a ton of sense for both sides.