Broncos Should Consider Trading These 6 Players

After another disappointing loss, the Denver Broncos are 0-2 and don't look like a team that is going to make the playoffs. Therefore, the Broncos are nearing the point in which they have to think about trading players away and prepare for an actual rebuild.

The Broncos have just six picks in the 2024 draft, though they might have seven if the conditions in the trade for kicker Wil Lutz aren't met. The Broncos could retain their seventh-round pick instead of sending it to the Saints.

Even if those conditions aren't met, the Broncos have to realize that the best way to replenish the roster is through the draft. With the easiest strength of schedule so far, Denver is currently sitting with the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 according to Tankathon.

While the Broncos wouldn't get high draft picks they need for most of the players, they could at least get additional picks to fill out the depth and, perhaps, find a steal in later rounds.

Let's look at the players whose names might come up in trade talks, whether it makes sense to trade them and, if so, what the Broncos might get in return.

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Courtland Sutton, WR

Sutton was the subject of trade talks during the offseason but no trade happened. Now, however, the Broncos need to think more about moving him.

It's understandable that Broncos fans wouldn't want to see another hit to the wide receiver depth chart, but Sutton simply hasn't played at a level that justifies keeping him. Better to give more snaps to younger receivers and see what you can get for Sutton.

Trading Sutton would leave the Broncos with $3.825 million in dead money for 2023 but would free up significant cap space. He is due $14 million for the year and has already collected two game checks, so the actual amount freed would depend on if he is traded and how much of his salary a trade partner would take on.

The likely return would be no higher than a fifth-round pick in 2024 but they might be able to get a conditional pick in 2025 if he hits certain statistical marks.

Justin Simmons, S

When Simmons signed his extension, the intent was for him to be one of the faces of the Broncos franchise. However, while Simmons hasn't been bad, his play has been inconsistent, perhaps attributable to coaching changes three straight years.

His $18.2-million cap hit is the highest salary cap number for any safety in the NFL.

Trading Simmons would mean a $3.75M dead money charge for 2023. He is due $14.4 million for the year with two game checks collected. Playoff teams who need a safety might be interested.

However, the one thing that makes a trade unlikely, is the injuries at the safety position. With Caden Sterns out for the year, PJ Locke still on IR and Delarrin Turner-Yell likely to miss time, the Broncos might not be quick to trade Simmons this season. In the offseason, though, that could change.

Garett Bolles, LT

There was talk that the Broncos were shopping Bolles during the 2023 offseason. Again, no trade materialized, possibly because of questions about his health after he broke his leg during the 2022 season.

Bolles is playing well to start the season, and the Broncos would have to go with Cameron Fleming as their starting left tackle if he were traded. Still, the Broncos would take just a $4-million dead money charge in a trade, while not having to pay the remainder of his $13.75M base salary, assuming a trade partner picked up his entire contract in the deal.

Two things make a trade unlikely, though. First, teams will only trade for him if they have a big need at left tackle. Second, if Bolles keeps playing well, it wouldn't make sense to deal him because quality offensive tackles can be part of a rebuild.

Randy Gregory, OLB

Gregory signed a five-year contract with the Broncos last season. While just two years were fully guaranteed, his injury history made him a risky signing. He missed the bulk of 2022 with injuries.

After a quiet Week 1, Gregory played better in Week 2. As long as he's healthy, a team looking at a playoff run and in need of an edge rusher, might be interested in Gregory. He has no guaranteed money left after 2023, so a team who trades for him isn't taking much risk in doing so.

If traded, the Broncos would take a $4.2-million dead money charge but be free of his remaining base salary, which is $14M for the full season. As with Sutton, a fifth-round pick in 2024 is likely the best they'd get in return, but a conditional pick in 2025 is possible.

Josey Jewell, LB

Jewell has been a quality player for the Broncos and forms a solid tandem with Alex Singleton. But after the Broncos drafted Drew Sanders, and considering Jewell is in the final year of his contract, it's not likely he's in the team's plans for 2024.

Therefore, the Broncos would be well advised to consider trade offers for Jewell. His 2023 salary is $4.49 million. A team acquiring him gets an inexpensive player who could be the final piece needed for a playoff push.

A sixth-round pick is probably what the Broncos would get in return. While not much, better for the Broncos to get something in return for him than just let him walk in 2024 and have no guarantees for a compensatory pick.

Jerry Jeudy, WR

As with Sutton, the Broncos reportedly fielded trade offers for Jeudy during the offseason but none came to pass. The Broncos eventually exercised the fifth-year option on his first-round draft pick contract.

After missing Week 1 recovering from a hamstring injury, Jeudy returned in Week 2 and made a couple of plays. The Broncos then struggled on offense after a fast start. It may now be time to consider whether Jeudy should be in the Broncos' future plans.

Jeudy is due just $2.6 million in base salary for 2023, and a team acquiring him gets to keep him for 2024. He may fetch a higher pick than Sutton, though I'd put the ceiling at a fourth in 2024, with a possible conditional pick in 2025.

With Jeudy, the only question is how confident the Broncos are in thinking he can be part of the long term. If they have their doubts, it's better to sell while they can.

Bottom Line

While it's not likely the Broncos trade a bunch of players, dealing one or two isn't out of the question. The Broncos can't afford to keep going with the mindset that they are just a few players away from a playoff trip.

The team needs a lot of work to get where it needs to be, and the Broncos can't afford to hope that things fall into place. The schedule doesn't get any easier, and they need to think about the future more than the present.

Among the players I've mentioned, the only two I'm hesitant to trade are Bolles and Simmons. the former because he is playing well coming off injury and the latter because safety depth is an issue. With Jeudy, it's more about whether the Broncos believe he has a future with the team.

If things continue to unravel, the Broncos have to consider making deals. The organization might think it can win now, but reality has shown that the team isn't there yet and draft picks are needed.

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