As the 2023 NFL trade deadline nears (October 31), the Denver Broncos are moving deeper and deeper into a selling mode. The team enters their Thursday Night Football game with a 1-4 record, and their season is effectively over. However, the Broncos are now turning to younger players and developing more homegrown talent to be part of a new and revamped core.
However, veteran knowledge can be a strong learning tool for young players who are growing into their careers, and certain veterans are still strong players and be a useful part of a new core. Here are three players the Broncos should not trade at the 2023 trading deadline.
3 veteran players the Denver Broncos should NOT trade
1) Justin Simmons
For numerous reasons, the Broncos should hold onto Justin Simmons through the 2023 trade deadline. For one, Simmons is effectively the heart and soul of the Denver Broncos. Simmons has been a Bronco since bursting into the league in 2016 and has been a fixture in the Denver secondary ever since. Simmons has re-upped in Denver to stay through the 2024 season. Simmons, who turns 30 on November 19th, is in his eighth season. Simmons has brought in 27 interceptions and started in every game from 2018 through 2021. Simmons is a multi-year captain of the Broncos and has embraced the city of Denver.
Simmons is also still playing at a strong level for Denver. Simmons graded out at a 70.7 Pro Football Focus grade in 2022, ranking him as the 23rd-best safety in football. Considering the injuries that the Broncos have faced in their secondary in the early going, the Broncos would be better suited with Simmons than without, especially considering the return for him might not be what fans might expect.
Simmons is still only 29 and has some more years ahead of him. Considering that Kareem Jackson is in his final years, Caden Stearns can't stay healthy, and the unproven nature of other players such as Delarrin Turner-Yell, JL Skinner, and PJ Locke, keeping a plus player and team captain like Simmons around will do the Broncos well.
2) Courtland Sutton
Courtland Sutton, who has been a Bronco since being the 40th overall selection in the 2018 draft, is signed to remain in Denver for two more years. Sutton has been a constant in multiple years of offensive turnover in Denver. In 70 NFL games, Sutton has brought in 260 receptions for 3,716 yards and 17 touchdowns. Sutton began his career bringing in catches from Joe Flacco and lining up across the line from Emmanuel Sanders and is now the second option under Sean Payton's offense.
Sutton, much like Simmons, has embraced Denver and has become a fan favorite. Sutton just turned 28 on October 10th and still has multiple years in his prime ahead of him. Sutton, if he stays in Denver, figures to be a part of the Broncos' offensive plans through the end of his contract.
Moving Sutton would open up some playing time for other receivers on the Broncos, but his contract might be too much to move. Sutton is signed through 2025 and is slated to make roughly $13 million annually in 2024 and 2025, with some savings but nothing crazy if he is cut. Considering the Broncos are also likely to move on from fellow wideout Jerry Jeudy, it might make more sense to hang onto Sutton than Jeudy.
Jeudy will net a larger return than Sutton, and is on a controlled cost for the next season and a half; a smaller price tag than Sutton. If the Broncos move on from Jeudy, keeping Sutton would also help alleviate some of the pressure on younger receivers like Marvin MIms to immediately perform as a number one option. The Broncos could also revisit moving Sutton down the road, considering he is under contract for two more seasons.
3) K'Waun Williams
K'Waun Williams is yet to appear in a game in 2023 yet, but the veteran could be a popular name on the trading block as the 2023 deadline approaches. The former 49er played a strong nickel corner for the Broncos last year and is in the final year of his two-year deal that cost the Broncos $5,200,000 over the two years. Williams' presence, however, could be very useful for the Broncos. The Broncos' secondary has been one of the worst in football this year and could use some reinforcements.
Willaims is a skilled veteran who has played at a high level for multiple years, and as the Broncos continue to run out younger corners such as Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss, and Ja'quan McMillan, the veteran could be a useful and strong voice in the locker room and on the field.
Beyond his experience, Williams could be a candidate to return to the Broncos in 2024. The Broncos have the aforementioned younger corners and Pat Surtain as their corners under contract for 2024, and Williams would likely be the second-best corner on a roster including all of those names. The Broncos lack a legitimate nickel corner, paving the way for Williams to fill that void.
Considering how much of 2023 he has missed, the Broncos might be able to get Williams back on a team-friendly deal with a low cap hit, but incentives that allow for the deal to increase to what Williams' play might reflect. Retaining Williams would be one less need for the Broncos to address in free agency and the draft, considering those lists are already much deeper than many had imagined.