Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos

As the NFL trade deadline approaches and off-season roster building begins, the Denver Broncos find themselves at a crossroads: after years of inconsistency and missed playoff appearances, the team must make strategic moves to bridge the gap between rebuilding and contending. Potential trades have emerged as a key tool for the Broncos to address critical roster holes, leverage surplus talent, and position themselves to compete in the tough AFC West—home to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and rising Los Angeles Chargers. Unlike free agency, which often requires overpaying for short-term help, trades let the Broncos target specific players who fit their scheme, fill immediate needs, and avoid long-term salary cap risks. From quarterback upgrades to defensive reinforcements, the Broncos’ front office, led by general manager George Paton, is reportedly exploring multiple trade scenarios, each with the potential to reshape the team’s trajectory. Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos isn’t just about rumors—it’s about understanding how the Broncos can use trades to turn promise into results and give fans a reason to believe in a return to playoff football.

Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos gains its first layer of depth with the Broncos’ most pressing need: a long-term solution at quarterback. Since Peyton Manning’s retirement in 2016, the Broncos have cycled through quarterbacks (Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater, Russell Wilson, Jarrett Stidham) without finding a consistent starter, and this instability has derailed their offense. Trade rumors have linked the Broncos to several veteran quarterbacks, including Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins (who has a no-trade clause but has expressed openness to winning opportunities) and New Orleans’ Derek Carr (a former Pro Bowler with experience in a West Coast offense similar to the Broncos’ scheme). A trade for Cousins would likely require the Broncos to send a second-round draft pick and a conditional third-round pick to the Vikings, while Carr could cost a third-round pick and a rotational player—prices the Broncos can afford given their stockpile of 2025 draft picks. The appeal of a quarterback trade is clear: a proven starter would immediately elevate the offense, unlock the potential of young playmakers like wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end Greg Dulcich, and give the defense (a strength in recent years) a chance to win games. For the Broncos, this isn’t just a trade for a player—it’s a trade for stability at the sport’s most important position.

A second critical area in Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos is the need to reinforce the secondary, particularly at cornerback and safety. The Broncos’ defense ranked 22nd in the NFL in passing yards allowed in 2024, struggling to contain elite wide receivers like the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill and the Chargers’ Keenan Allen. Trade targets here include Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (a physical press corner who can match up with top receivers) and Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (a ball-hawking defender with 14 career interceptions). Davis, who is in the final year of his contract, would cost the Broncos a fourth-round pick, as the Buccaneers look to rebuild and avoid losing him for nothing in free agency. Bates, meanwhile, has clashed with Falcons coaches over his role and could be available for a fifth-round pick and a salary offset. Strengthening the secondary wouldn’t just improve pass defense—it would let the Broncos play more aggressive coverage, freeing up their edge rushers to pressure the quarterback without worrying about deep completions. For a defense that prides itself on physicality (thanks to stars like defensive tackle Malcolm Roach and linebacker Baron Browning), a secondary upgrade would turn a good unit into an elite one, making the Broncos harder to beat in high-scoring AFC West matchups.

Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos is particularly significant for the Denver Broncos’ edge rushing depth, a position that has underperformed in 2024 despite high expectations. The Broncos signed Randy Gregory to a five-year, $70 million contract in 2023, but he has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, recording just 4 sacks in 18 games. To complement Gregory and Browning, the Broncos are targeting pass rushers who can provide immediate production, such as Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (a former Bronco who had 6 sacks in 2024) and Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Kwity Paye (a young talent who has flashed potential but lacks consistent playing time). A trade for Okoronkwo, who is familiar with the Broncos’ defense, would likely cost a sixth-round pick, as the Browns look to trim salary. Paye, a 2021 first-round pick, would require a more significant investment—a second-round pick—but offers upside as a long-term starter. The Denver Broncos’ edge rushing need is urgent: in AFC West games, they’ve struggled to pressure Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has averaged 300 passing yards against them in 2024. Adding a reliable pass rusher would let the Broncos disrupt opposing quarterbacks, shorten drives, and give their offense more opportunities to score. For the Denver Broncos, this trade isn’t just about stats—it’s about gaining a competitive edge in division games that often decide playoff spots.

Another vital dimension of Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos is the Broncos’ willingness to trade from surplus positions to address needs. The Broncos have depth at running back (with Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and Jaleel McLaughlin) and offensive line (where they have four capable tackles), creating opportunities to deal from strength. For example, the Broncos could trade Perine (a reliable backup with pass-catching skills) to a team like the Miami Dolphins (who need running back help after an injury to Raheem Mostert) in exchange for a fifth-round pick and a backup cornerback. Similarly, offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, who has been a rotational player since 2022, could be traded to the New York Jets (who have struggled with tackle injuries) for a fourth-round pick. These “value trades” let the Denver Broncos turn players who are not getting significant playing time into assets that fill holes elsewhere, avoiding the waste of talent and draft capital. They also signal to the locker room that the front office is proactive—willing to make tough decisions to improve the team rather than clinging to depth for depth’s sake. For the Denver Broncos, trading from surplus isn’t just about roster management; it’s about maximizing the value of every player on the team to build a more balanced, competitive roster.

Finally, Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos offers a window into the Broncos’ broader strategy for competing in the AFC West: balancing short-term wins with long-term sustainability. Unlike teams that mortgage their future for a single playoff run, the Broncos are targeting trades that don’t require giving up first-round draft picks (they have two first-rounders in 2025, including one from the Seattle Seahawks in the Russell Wilson trade) and avoid adding players with prohibitive contracts. For example, a trade for Kirk Cousins would include a restructured contract to lower his 2025 salary cap hit, while a trade for Carlton Davis would include a team option for 2026, letting the Broncos walk away if he underperforms. This cautious approach reflects the Broncos’ lessons from past mistakes—like the Wilson trade, which cost them multiple first-round picks and left them with a bloated salary cap. The Denver Broncos’ front office is now focused on “smart trades”: moves that fill needs, fit the scheme, and keep the team flexible for future drafts and free agency. Potential Trades Loom for the Denver Broncos isn’t just about the 2025 season—it’s about building a team that can compete for years to come, honoring the Broncos’ legacy of winning while creating new memories for fans. As the trade deadline nears, all eyes will be on Paton and his staff to see if they can turn these rumors into moves that finally push the Broncos back into the NFL’s elite.