The NFL trade deadline is coming fast (November 10), and the Denver Broncos are expected to be active in trying to upgrade the roster.
The Broncos have every reason to be aggressive at the NFL trade deadline. They are 6-2 and in 1st place in the AFC West after their thrilling win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. They have had a number of injuries this season, causing some question marks on the roster, especially offensively.
What could realistically be out there for GM George Paton and head coach Sean Payton to go after? There have already been a number of big trades around the NFL, so the urgency is ramping up by the day.
Let's take a look at players and positions the Broncos need to be targeting with the deadline now in sight.
Broncos' top players to target at the 2026 NFL trade deadline
1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
The price to acquire Jonathan Taylor is going to be very high. The Broncos have been rumored to be interested in trading for Taylor, and he's one of those names that is thrown out there a lot mostly because everybody knows the Colts are actually willing to trade him.
Because the Colts have opened up to the idea of trading Taylor, every team's fan base with a running back need is basically standing outside the office of their team's GM with a boombox and begging him to make a move.
The Broncos should be no different. Although it's not mandatory that the team trades for Taylor, why would you not want to if you're George Paton and Sean Payton? This is a team that rarely plays rookies anyway, and Taylor can help the team in its current Super Bowl window.
As promising as Jonah Coleman has been so far this season (in a limited sample), the Broncos have been dealing with JK Dobbins struggling as well as RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie both on IR with injuries. They need help at the running back position badly, and the idea of pairing Taylor with Coleman could actually solve this team's issues in the running game.
2. Breece Hall, RB, Jets
The Jets made sure nobody could touch Breece Hall in free agency this past offseason when they slapped him with the franchise tag. They followed that up by actually giving him a big-money contract (3 years, $43.5 million), which seemingly took him off the board completely in regards to a possible trade.
Things have changed as the season has progressed.
With Hall nursing a quad injury, Braelon Allen has absolutely been running all over defenses. He's played so well, there are a lot of folks in the NFL world wondering whether the Jets could move Hall's (very tradeable) contract and just roll with Allen as their new RB1.
Given the relationship between Jets GM (and former Broncos assistant GM) Darren Mougey and George Paton, it wouldn't be shocking if the two were talking trade.
It's also worth noting that it was reported in the offseason that the Jets gave Hall the tag this offseason specifically because they knew the Broncos were going to go after him.
3. Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens
The downhill, no-nonsense runnning style of Derrick Henry could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Denver Broncos.
Henry is now part of a sinking ship with the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson's latest injury is a season-ender, and his future with the organization beyond this year is now a question mark.
Speaking of having connections with the Broncos, Ravens OC Declan Doyle was with the Denver Broncos as recently as 2024 on Sean Payton's staff, and the Ravens were interested in hiring Davis Webb as their head coach this offseason. The lines of communication are open, and there have been rumors out there about the Giants (and John Harbaugh) pivoting to Derrick Henry if their pursuit of Jonathan Taylor falls through.
Why couldn't that also be the case for the Broncos? Henry would only be a short-term rental, but that's all this team really needs in a championship window.
4. Tony Pollard, RB, Titans
I'm sure you're sensing a theme here, but the Broncos' top need at the trade deadline should be obvious: Running back.
Another option that could be available for a solid price is Tony Pollard of the Tennessee Titans. You may be shocked to hear this, but Pollard is 9th in the NFL in total rushing yards right now, and is averaging 4.47 yards per carry.
He's still running extremely well.
Not only is Pollard currently running well, but he adds value in the passing game as well. That's important to keep in mind, given the knee injury suffered by RJ Harvey at practice last week. The Broncos need a difference-maker in the passing game as well as an upgrade at RB.
Unrealistic (but fun) trade possibilities at the tight end position
5/6. Trey McBride/Sam LaPorta, TE
This would have to fit under the category of "completely unrealistic and not happening," but the idea of the Broncos acquiring someone like Trey McBride of the Cardinals or Sam LaPorta of the Lions is exciting.
Again, it's not happening, but we're going to throw out even the ideas that are pipe dreams at this point.
Why wouldn't the Cardinals part with Trey McBride? Well, believe it or not, the Cardinals are actually showing some competitiveness this season. They have three wins already after a comeback for the ages against the Cowboys on Sunday, and McBride was obviously a big reason why.
He's also the primary player on that roster right now putting butts in the seats. They can't trade him in-season, but it wouldn't surprise me (at all) if Sean Payton actually called to hear them say "no" anyway.
The Lions have no reason to trade Sam LaPorta right now even though there have been very public statements made from LaPorta about how unhappy he is with his contract situation. Maybe if the Lions had lost their last two games, things would be different.
But probably not even then.
This is a Lions team that is 5-2 and in the thick of the NFC North race. They believe they are championship contenders, and they're not going to part with one of their most valuable offensive weapons in the midst of contention.
Realistic options the Broncos could consider at tight end
7. Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
It's possible that the Philadelphia Eagles would do a little selling at the trade deadline with that team looking destined for a top-5 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The injury to Jalen Hurts has put the Eagles firmly out of contention, even in a bad division. They might look at some of the older players or contract-year players on the team and part with them for some extra darts in next year's draft.
We already know that Eagles GM Howie Roseman is always wanting to wheel and deal. Goedert has been solid this season with 26 receptions, but how much can he really help the Broncos? Or any tight end for that matter?
It feels like it's nearly impossible for the Broncos to get that position regular targets.
8. Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Jets
The dream scenario would be for the Broncos to get Mason Taylor off the Jets' hands, because the Broncos really liked him coming out in the 2025 NFL Draft.
You have to think Darren Mougey is going to hold onto Taylor, even after using a 1st-round pick on Kenyon Sadiq this year. So maybe there is a pivot to someone like Jeremy Ruckert, who might be a better fit for the Broncos stylistically.
Ruckert has played 173 total snaps for the Jets this season, 3rd among tight ends on their roster. He plays a significant role, but Jelani Woods (144 snaps) is already not far behind him.
Ruckert is only 26 years old, he's under contract through the 2027 season, and he's got some nice dual-threat abilities as a pass-catching and blocking option.
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