What we’re hearing as the NFL trade deadline approaches

The Denver Broncos they still have five games before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5, but the conversation about what they should do has already begun. While it’s still too early to set a plan, there’s a great reason to start the discussion.

The Broncos have pieces that can be traded and could be used by other teams that are always looking to upgrade their lineups. The Broncos have their own areas they can improve.

This raises the question of whether the Broncos should be buyers or sellers. With a 2-2 record, Denver could fall into either category.

Should the Broncos be more likely to buy or sell? Let’s explore.

The Broncos need a dynamic playmaker on offense, especially late in the game. There could be several options in the league and Radio KOBenjamin Allbright suggested Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, which was an intriguing thought.

Pitts has had a few rough seasons, and this one isn’t looking too good. However, he can be a dynamic playmaker in this position and be an element that Sean Payton likes to have in the offense. Pitts is a dynamic athlete who can create all kinds of mismatches and fill the role the Broncos wanted Greg Dulcich to develop but failed to do.

While he’s not a blocker and Pitts can play like a traditional Y-type quarterback, you can move him around the formation. The Broncos need a dynamic playmaker on offense to help with the passing game, which has been difficult early in the season.

Pitts, who will turn 24 on October 6, is still young and is in his fourth year in the NFL. He is in the final year of his contract as the 16th highest-paid player because the Falcons declined a five-year option on his rookie contract.

The cost of acquiring Pitts shouldn’t be high, and he could be a low-risk, high-reward option for the Broncos. Payton needs a tight end like that in his offense.

Pitts isn’t the only option and Over CaJason Fitzgerald zp made the list of 189 players. They are all in the final year of their contracts on teams with a record of 1-3 or worse, and while there aren’t many intriguing options, there are a few.

Many of the names on Fitzgerald’s list are depth pieces. The Broncos could sign a linebacker without Alex Singleton or a defensive lineman/passer if they decide to sign Jones or Browning.

There are also several tight ends on the list who are intriguing options to add to the receiving power of the Broncos offense. Overall, several Broncos players are intriguing at this stage of the season. Meaning:

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There are several players the Broncos should be open to moving. Judging by how the season is going, the Broncos should be open to trading five players – three on offense and two on defense.

To be clear, being open to trading them doesn’t mean the Broncos should move them for anything. However, if the team offers good value, you trade and adjust, but don’t take less than you want for those players.

Baron Browning and DJ Jones are the two on defense, while Garett Bolles and Javonte Williams are two of the three on offense. I’ll get to the third one later. All four have expiring contracts, could be a factor in a contending team, and are hurting the Broncos in the form of dead money.

Now figuring out the finances is a bit tricky because of the games being played, so the game checks will count for the Broncos, but they could also take more money or get the other team to take them. Therefore, we will focus solely on financial data before season.

Bolles and Jones are the Broncos’ two biggest caps this year, amounting to $20 million and almost $13 million, respectively. Before the season, Bolles could be traded for $4 million dead and $16 million saved, while Jones would, rounding up, have $3 million dead and $10 million saved.

If the Broncos are not comfortable with Mike McGlinchey taking over on the left wing, then a move for Bolles should be considered, especially given Alex Paclzewski’s play on the right wing over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, Jones has struggled with the Broncos for most of the last 21 games and has been outplayed by Malcolm Roach, who should be getting more reps on him anyway.

Browning costs $3.3 million against the cap, rounded down, and Williams (also rounded down) costs $2.8 million. None of them are as expensive as Bolles and Jones.

Denver would save about $3.1 million (preseason) over the cap for Browning and $1.8 for Williams. With Browning on injured reserve, he would be hard to replace, but the rest of the pass rush zone has improved significantly, making him expendable.

Williams played an outstanding game against Liverpool New York Jetsbut its inconsistencies are disturbing. If he gains momentum, he will no longer be a trade option, especially if the Broncos are 5-4 or better as the trade deadline approaches.

If the Broncos are 4-5 or worse, even if Williams performs well, they should consider trading him. For me this is the final result after nine games.

The fifth and final player the Broncos could trade is quarterback — either Jarett Stidham or Zach Wilson, depending on which team they want. There are some injuries to starting quarterbacks in the NFL, which could lead a team to push for one of them. The Broncos should consider moving one of them, especially if Bo Nix is ​​still relatively healthy at the deadline.

There are five games left between now and the November 5 trade deadline. Much can and will change.

There will likely be injuries, wins, losses and frustrations between coaches and players. This will change the landscape that teams may want to leave and Denver’s willingness to trade or acquire players.

It’s fun to talk and think about different possibilities, but there’s plenty of time until then.

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