ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — With the Nov. 2 trade deadline less than a week away, George Paton has a matter of days to decide whether the Denver Broncos should be buyers or sellers at the deadline.
Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team could have massive ramifications to Paton’s decision. A win over the Football Team and the Broncos are back at .500. A loss, however, and the losing streak extends to five games and the free fall in the Mile High City continues.
If the latter happens, the Broncos have plenty of players they could be looking to sell at the deadline. Paton would turn to the trade market to get value for players he doesn’t believe will be on the team next year, to free up cap space or a combination of both.
It’s highly unlikely Denver would make multiple major trades before Tuesday’s deadline, but it’s possible all seven players below garner interest around the NFL. Here’s a look at seven players on expiring contracts that the Broncos could look to trade by the 2:00 p.m. Nov. 2 trade deadline.
Von Miller
2021 stats: 7 starts; 4.5 sacks; 19 total tackles; 7 TFLs; 9 QB hits
2021 cap savings (if traded next week): $10 million
Potential trade value: Day 2 pick
After Denver’s 3-0 start that included Von Miller being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, it was easy to envision a future where the Super Bowl 50 MVP would sign an extension with the Broncos after the season.
However, after four-straight losses, it’s become easier to see 2021 being Von’s last year in Denver. If that is the case, it would be prudent of Paton to at least see what the value would be for the future Hall-of-Fame pass rusher. Not only would the Broncos likely be able to get a Day 2 pick in return, but Miller would likely finish the season on a playoff team.
It wouldn’t be an easy move to make for everything Von has done for this franchise, but it would be worth considering, especially if his future in Denver is in doubt.
Courtland Sutton
2021 stats: 7 starts; 539 receiving yards; 38 receptions; 2 touchdowns
2021 cap savings: $1.213 million
Potential trade value: First-round pick
Trading Courtland Sutton would not be a salary-dump move. In fact, it would be the opposite as there is barely any cap relief by trading him. Instead, it would be selling high and getting maximum value on a talented player.
If Paton believes the Broncos need to go into a rebuild, trading Sutton for premium value would be understandable as he will be a high-paid receiver after this season.
However, this trade is highly unlikely as Denver is already depleted at the receiver position and Sutton is one of Paton’s favorite players on the team.
Tim Patrick
2021 stats: 7 starts; 360 receiving yards; 27 receptions; 3 touchdowns
2021 cap savings: $1.880 million
Potential trade value: Early Day 3 pick
This isn’t the first time Tim Patrick has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate. Entering the season, Patrick figured to be the odd-man out in Denver’s stacked receiving corps, especially beyond 2021.
However, after significant injuries to Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, Patrick has once again received a big-time role in Denver’s offense. With Jeudy returning on Sunday against the Football Team, Patrick’s role will once again take a step back on Denver’s roster. On the other hand, his value to other teams in the NFL won’t take a step back.
If Paton is prepared to pay Sutton after the season, it’s unlikely Patrick will get the contract he is looking for from Denver. If that’s the case, Paton should explore what he can get for Patrick in a trade. However, if Paton plans to move on from Sutton—either at the deadline or after this season—then keeping Patrick and signing him to a long-term deal becomes a priority.
Melvin Gordon
2021 stats: 350 rushing yards; 4.5 yards per carry; 133 receiving yards; 15 receptions; 3 total touchdowns
2021 cap savings: $3.856 million
Potential trade value: Early Day 3 pick
In Melvin Gordon’s last 14 games, he’s racked up 1,101 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns to go along with an impressive 4.8 yards per carry. In the first half of this season, he’s been incredibly consistent and reliable while splitting time with Javonte Williams. Gordon has not been the reason for Denver’s struggles.
But Javonte is the future of Denver’s backfield, not Melvin. However, Gordon could play a key role on a team bound for the playoffs. If a team, say Baltimore, is in need of a talented running back, Melvin will be near the top of the list in terms of potential running backs that could be traded.
For Denver, they would not only be able to save significant cap space, but they would also be able to get a solid pick in return and turn the backfield fully over to Javonte Williams.
Bryce Callahan
2021 stats: 2 starts; 18 total tackles; 4 passes defended; 3 TFLs; 1 sack
2021 cap savings: $3.997 million
Potential trade value: Day 3 pick
Don’t look now, but Bryce Callahan has played in all seven of the Broncos’ games so far. With his health holding up and his play at a high level, now would be the time to sell high on Callahan.
With great corners hard to come by, Callahan’s stock could drastically rise if teams are made aware he’s available.
Since signing with the Broncos as a free agent in 2019, Callahan has played in 17 of a possible 39 games. That reason alone might scare Paton off from wanting to re-sign him after this season. But since he’s healthy now, a contender could view him as a missing piece to their secondary for the remainder of this season.
Kareem Jackson
2021 stats: 7 starts; 43 total tackles; 1 interception; 1 pass defended; 1 sack
2021 cap savings: $2.770 million
Potential trade value: Day 3 pick
Kareem Jackson is still a top-end safety in the NFL. However, at 33 years old, his time as an enforcer on defense is waining. Paton’s already proved he doesn’t need Jackson on this team as he cut him earlier in the offseason before re-signing him for half the price.
With Caden Sterns proving to be the future alongside Justin Simmons, trading Jackson would allow Sterns to take over the position full time and get Denver a draft pick in return.
Kyle Fuller
2021 stats: 5 starts; 17 total tackles; 2 passes defended
2021 cap savings: $5.261 million
Potential trade value: Late Day 3 pick
Last, but certainly not least, is Denver’s most disappointing 2021 free-agent signing. He’s also the most likely Bronco to be traded.
After signing a one-year, $9.5 million deal with Denver minutes after being released from the Bears in the offseason, Fuller has been very underwhelming. When he’s played, he’s given up multiple deep touchdown passes and quarterbacks haven’t been afraid to target him.
Once Ronald Darby returned from the injured reserve in Week 6, Fuller’s been on the bench. In fact, in Denver’s past two games, despite having history with Vic Fangio, Fuller has only played two defensive snaps.
Before the season began, there were reports that teams were interested in trading for Fuller. In fact, George Paton admitted multiple teams were interested in trading for one of Denver’s cornerbacks.
With Fuller on the bench, Paton might as well trade the veteran cornerback before the deadline. The return will be minimal, but Denver will get significant cap savings to make it worth it.
