The Denver Broncos introduced Sean Payton as their 20th head coach in franchise history earlier this week as it starts a new era (and hopefully a successful one) in Mile High.
With how the roster is currently constructed, there are apparent pieces missing to build a winning team. Bill Parcells, who Sean Payton learned from, always said that every position (except QB if the team has one) needs to be upgraded in some capacity.
Whether it’s adding a new starter, depth, or young and upcoming talent, every position can be improved. In addition, as injuries arise and the skill levels at each position continue to evolve, Payton can add talent to key positions that need it.
Free agency will be significant for Denver this off-season but the trade market could be interesting to look at. Payton could be looking to reunite with former players and execute trades for talented players that fans may want.
Here are five trades the Broncos can execute because of the new head coach, Sean Payton.
Broncos could trade for New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas
An obvious trade candidate for Payton and the Broncos is WR Michael Thomas from the New Orleans Saints, who may be a cap casualty, which makes this trade realistic.
Thomas has been riddled with injuries as he has played ten games in the last three seasons. While this may be an issue, there was some concern about what is happening with the medical team in New Orleans with Thomas.
Thomas and the front office have not seen eye-to-eye in recent years and no one knows that situation more than his former head coach. However, if Payton does his due diligence and examines if Thomas can be fully committed to playing a whole season (with health being the main priority), this could be a realistic trade that can make sense for the Broncos.
Not only does Thomas know Payton’s offensive system, but he is also one of the top receivers when healthy. The WR room needs depth and improved play behind Jerry Jeudy and Thomas can fit in perfectly with Denver.
Russell Wilson loves big targets and receivers and Thomas fits that description perfectly. If all the information they can gather on Thomas is positive, the wide receiver room can have a former Offensive Player of the Year.
Houston Texans WR Brandin Cooks
Everyone in Broncos Country has been vocal about trading for the wide receiver from the Houston Texans and it could become a reality this off-season.
Brandin Cooks was close to being traded in the 2022 trade deadline and eventually stayed in Houston after no deal. Cooks has been clear on wanting out of Houston (with good measure), and Denver should be on line one.
Cooks has been one of the most consistent receivers in the league and is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Wilson has a relationship with him already and the discussion between the two may have been a recruiting pitch to Denver.
It also helps that Payton was the one who drafted Cooks in 2014 to the Saints and had success with him as his coach. The Broncos are in the wide receiver market and need another playmaker alongside Jerry Jeudy.
Cooks is only 29 years young and could be a great tandem alongside Jeudy and the other weapons Payton may acquire. With the disappointing season Courtland Sutton had, a swap between the two and swapping draft picks may get the deal done.
Cooks’ trade value is viewed as a couple of day two picks, according to reports.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Donovan Smith
Tampa Bay is looking to rebuild the team after the announcement of Tom Brady retiring and it only makes sense. To help the Buccaneers out, the Broncos should call on OT Donovan Smith.
Trading for Smith will help Tampa Bay with their cap situation and getting him off the books. They can save around $10 million in cap space by sending him to Denver. In addition, this allows them to get younger and cheaper at the position as Payton and the Broncos improve the offensive line.
Wilson needs to be protected and Payton understands this more than anyone.
With Smith on the trade market, he will be discussed in multiple trades with a lot of teams. Denver won’t be the only team and might not be the only one from the AFC West.
Smith is a clear upgrade at OT and Payton has emphasized that the offensive line needs to be better as currently constructed. Payton recently hired Zach Strief as the new offensive line coach and Smith might be at the top of their list for “needs” at the position.
New York Jets OT Mekhi Becton
An interesting one that needs to be talked about more is RT Mekhi Becton from the New York Jets being on the trade market. There have been rumors of the front office not being satisfied with what they have seen from him and it only makes sense that Payton digs into this.
Payton loves to develop young offensive linemen and there is no one better to develop than Becton.
There has been frustration with his recent injury history and being “unable to focus,” according to reports. Under the right culture and structure, Becton can become one of the best tackles in the league.
He was drafted 11th overall for a reason and it is because he’s physical and nasty. Becton is athletic and needs the right coach for him to evolve. George Paton and the Broncos were interested in him during the draft process as well.
While on his rookie contract, he is a high-reward player if Payton develops him correctly into the player he’s supposed to become.
A trade between players and a swap of draft picks may get the deal done as the frustration is growing in New York with Becton. The jets need some depth players that the Broncos currently have so Paton could definitely work something out that benefits Denver greatly to Joe Douglas.
New Orleans Saints OT Ryan Ramczyk
The last trade Broncos Country can witness with Sean Payton as head coach is OT Ryan Ramczyk, a draftee from Payton’s 2017 class with the Saints.
New Orleans is going to clear up some cap space and with good draft capital, they can get a tremendous young cheap talent at that position. Payton would want to reunite with Ramczyk in Denver and it makes sense for all parties involved.
Ramczyk comes with a large contract so the trade value might be less than people think. Denver can handle the cap space smartly and acquire one of the best tackles in the league, especially with the cash over cash-over-cap method.
The right side of the line would be a strong suit of the Broncos’ offense as it will have Quinn Meinerz next to Ramczyk. Wouldn’t that be fun to watch?
The Saints may be interested in a couple of young players the Broncos have as they are cheap and can help their cap situation. Mickey Loomis and Paton already made a deal together; why can’t they come together to make another one? It’d be a win-win for both teams as both teams will solve some of their main problems.
3 things we learned from Sean Payton’s introductory presser
The Denver Broncos introduced their 20th head coach in franchise history Monday afternoon as Sean Payton talked for the first time in Dove Valley.