Broncos Predicted To Trade Corner Despite All-Pro’s Injury
The Denver Broncos took a brutal hit to their secondary last weekend when the team had to rule out current Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II, for the second half of the team’s win against the
On Monday, reports suggested that Surtain would be out for around 4-6 weeks, although Ian Rapoport wrote on Wednesday that the team have decided to not put him on short-term injured reserve, meaning that the former Alabama man could miss just three games as he recovers from a pectoral strain.
Despite this, some have suggested that the team may, irregardless, look to move off certain members of their cornerback group. Indeed, starting members of their CB unit.
Broncos Projected To Potentially Part Ways With Corner
ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, writing on Wednesday – two days after the initial prognosis was made public, suggested that the Broncos could look to offload starting slot and 2022 undrafted free agent,
“Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. Coach Sean Payton said last week that he liked the roster just the way it is right now, and that was before reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II left Sunday’s win because of a shoulder injury.”
Legwold notes that prior to Surtain’s injury, Denver may have looked at McMillian as a moveable, fairly high-value piece, given that first round rookie, Jahdae Barron
However, Legwold does subsequently concede that after the injury to the All-Pro boundary cornerback, McMillian’s value to the organization will have certainly increased, reducing the probability of him being traded.
“With rookie Jahdae Barron getting work in the nickel and dime packages, some personnel executives in the league might have thought McMillian — one of the best nickel corners — was a hard-to-find player who the Broncos might think is a surplus. But that’s not the case at the moment, so it would take a lot for the Broncos to move him now.”
What Would The Broncos Need To Trade Ja’Quan McMillian?
It is not totally clear what Denver would need at this point to move off of their starting nickel.
Barron has routinely managed around 20% of defensive snaps per game this season so far, but interestingly he was not the next man up called to cover the boundary in lieu of Surtain. That duty was given to second year pro,
So it could be that Denver keeps Abrams-Draine on the perimeter, opposite
All in all, the price would not have to be excessive, but something in the region of a fifth round pick in 2026 should likely get the job done for a contending team looking to strengthen the nickel spot.
Broncos Trade Proposal Lands Former Ravens Draft Pick to Help Bo Nix
The Denver Broncos are in an interesting spot, sitting at 6-2 and atop the AFC West entering Week 9 with the trade deadline less than one week away, but a move that helps quarterback
ESPN’s staff put together a trade deadline breakdown, and Ben Solak suggested the Broncos attempt to trade for former Baltimore Ravens starter
Cleveland could help the Broncos tread water until they get their starter, Ben Powers, back.
Broncos Urged to Trade for Ravens OG Ben Cleveland
GettyBen Cleveland #66 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during training camp.
The Broncos lost starting left guard Ben Powers to injured reserve with a torn biceps, and replacement Matt Peart followed him. The Broncos got by with Alex Palczewski against the
That is where Cleveland could be of service to the Broncos after falling out of favor with the Ravens, who drafted him with the 94th overall pick of the 2021 draft.
This Heavy Sports Broncos trade pitch sends a late-round pick to the Ravens for Cleveland.
Broncos get:
- Ben Cleveland
Ravens get:
- 2026 sixth-round draft pick
“The Broncos could be looking for depth at guard following the injury to Ben Powers, whom they signed from Baltimore two years ago,”
Cleveland, 27, has appeared in 61 games for the Ravens in his career, but he has seven starts and has never drawn more than four in a single season. That came during his rookie campaign, making Cleveland a risky trade target for the Broncos or any other team looking for help.
Broncos Alex Palczewski Gets Strong Endorsement
The Broncos could be inclined to stand pat at the deadline, given head coach Sean Payton’s strong praise for Palczewski. A former undrafted free agent,
“He’s doing well,” Payton told reporters on October 29. “He doesn’t look like a throw-in left guard. He’s smart. He’s tough. It’s good to see him playing. It’s good when you look at some of the guys we were able to get after the draft and late. That’s like gold, getting those type of players. And we had, that first year, we hit on a number of linemen.”
Palczewski and the Broncos will face the Houston Texans in Week 9. Their strength is off the edges and in the secondary.
The Las Vegas Raiders are also stronger off the edges than they are up the middle.
That matchup is after the deadline anyway. Moreover, Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs loom large in Week 11 and again in Week 17. Powers could return to the field by then, but that remains uncertain.
Skill positions could be enticing, but the Broncos have stocked their cupboards with young, ascending talent behind veterans Courtland Sutton, Evan Engram, and J.K. Dobbins.
Nix avoids sacks well, but a trade for an upgrade at guard could help him and the Broncos.
