Denver Broncos snuck an under-the-radar trade before the deadline
The Denver Broncos made a deal involving an edge player before the 2022 NFL trade deadline, but not just the one involving Bradley Chubb in a blockbuster with the Miami Dolphins. The Broncos made a couple of deals with AFC East teams before the deadline and snuck in an under-the-radar trade for EDGE/special teams player Jacob Martin of the New York Jets.
Martin came out of Temple in the same draft class as Bradley Chubb (2018) but was taken in the sixth round that year by the Seattle Seahawks. He played one season in Seattle before getting traded to the Houston Texans in the Jadeveon Clowney deal back in 2019. After playing a couple of seasons in Houston, Martin earned himself a multi-year deal with the New York Jets just this past offseason.
Denver Broncos acquire Jacob Martin in NFL Trade Deadline deal
Martin is going to be 27 on December 11, but he has a team-friendly contract, a lot of experience playing special teams, and plenty of additional experience in rotation coming off the edge. At 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, the former sixth-round pick as contributed at least three sacks in every one of his NFL seasons thus far.
He played much more heavily on special teams early in his career before the 2022 season, where he has played 121 special teams snaps already this season for the Jets. And that is where I believe the Broncos are getting their primary instant impact from Martin, unless players like Randy Gregory and Baron Browning are still expected to miss extended time beyond the bye week.
Remember, Aaron Patrick was a key member of this Denver Broncos roster not only as an edge player with upside but primarily as a special teams guy. He sadly tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Broncos needed special teams reinforcements. This trade not only reinforces the Broncos’ depth off the edge with a guy that has actual NFL experience in that regard but also gives them an upgrade on special teams.
Denver Broncos edge rotation after Bradley Chubb, Jacob Martin trades
The Broncos have been well-equipped to make a trade like this since the offseason. As a matter of fact, many have seen this writing on the wall for months. Not even a tremendous start to the 2022 season could prevent the Broncos from moving forward with their plans at edge, which were obviously to get Baron Browning acclimated as quickly as possible.
Randy Gregory was the team’s prized free agent signing, and he looked great at the start of the year before suffering a knee injury that required a scope. After the bye week, Gregory is eligible to come off of injured reserve, the question is whether that will actually happen.
The Broncos, thankfully, are quite deep off the edge. This team not only made a big-money signing off the edge in free agency, not only moved Browning to the edge, but also used its top pick in 2022 on Nik Bonitto. Bonitto had himself a strip-sack on Sunday against the Jaguars.
The Broncos’ pass rush unit will still look quite strong when that unit is fully healthy:
- Randy Gregory
- Baron Browning
- Nik Bonitto
- Jonathon Cooper
- Jacob Martin
That group has a great combination of experience, youth, and upside. Not to mention — speed.
Martin ran a 4.59 coming out of Temple, so the big man is quick off the edge as well as hie peers with the Broncos, who have been difficult for offensive tackles to handle this season thanks to their get-off at the snap.
Seeing Bradley Chubb go hurts, but the Broncos are set up well to excel going forward.