NFL
By Keith Richards
Let’s play the game of hypotheticals. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say the Denver Broncos lose in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers. With the trade deadline fast approaching (October 31st at 4 p.m. EST), the Broncos have some tough decisions to make. It may not even be hypothetical. ESPN Analytics gives the Packers a 57% chance to win.
So, if Denver does lose in Week 7, they may have no choice but to start preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. In the ’24 draft, Denver currently holds six picks (one first, one third, one fourth, two fifths, and a sixth). With so many holes to fill on offense and defense, the Broncos need two things: Cap space and draft capital. They are currently lacking in both.
With that in mind, hypothetical speaking, if Denver does lose in Week 7, these are the five players the Broncos may trade in the next week and a half. They’re divided into two categories: Must Trade and Consider Trading. So, let’s discuss the trade options for the Denver Broncos as the trade deadline looms.
Garett Bolles – Consider Trading
Heading into Week 7, Bolles is having a great start to the season. Garett has only allowed one sack and has only been called for two penalties. In his seventh season with Denver, Bolles is starting to feel the pain of the Broncos’ stretch of bad play. Since Denver drafted Bolles, the Broncos have not had a single winning season.
Sitting at 1-5 before their Week 7 matchup, it seems Bolles will be a part of a seventh straight losing season. Regarding losing, Garett recently stated, “I’m tired of losing, man. I’ve been here seven years and all I’ve done is lose, and it’s frustrating.” In fairness, one could argue that Bolles contributed to the losing with his bad habit of holding penalties, but the point remains valid.
The Broncos should consider trading Bolles because he would clear cap space, he brings draft capital, and, honestly, it just might be the right thing to do. Garett signed a four-year, $60.8 million contract in 2022. Trading Bolles would clear $26.5 million in cap space over the next two seasons.
Just as important, given his play this season, the Broncos could potentially get at least a couple of second to fourth-round picks for Bolles. I think the Broncos would prefer to keep Bolles. I think Garett would like to experience winning in Denver, but trading him may be best for both parties.
Jerry Jeudy – Must Trade
It neither matters if Jeudy plays well in Week 7 nor how poorly he plays, Jerry must be traded. Jerry Jeudy is a must-trade player for several reasons. First, and most importantly, it’s the potential cap space. Jeudy is still on his rookie contract. So, as of now, he doesn’t carry a huge cap hit ($17,821,128) between this season and next season. Jeudy has not proved he’s done enough to receive a lucrative second contract.
Second, availability is the best ability. I wouldn’t consider Jerry Jeudy to be the most available player. Jeudy has missed nine of the 55 games he’s been available to play since 2020. Certainly, there are greater offenders than him (see Tim Patrick), but it feels like he’s constantly nicked as well. With Marvin Mims, Jr. showing his potential, Jerry just is not needed in Week 7 or for the rest of the season.
Last, Jerry Jeudy has an attitude problem. When trying to build a culture of winning AND positivity in Denver, Jeudy is not the man for that. He’s had beef with three former Broncos players over the last several weeks (Phillip Lindsay, Rod Smith, and Mark Schlereth) and he’s clearly frustrated. Yes, Payton could get Jerry more involved in the offense, but is it worth it?
Entering Week 7, Jerry Jeudy only has 177 catches for 2,517 yards and nine touchdowns over his career. I’m not saying that Jeudy can’t go on to be a great player in this league. I’m saying it can’t be with the Broncos.
Justin Simmons – Consider Trading
Including myself, this is a tough pill for many of Broncos Country to swallow. Simmons is a phenomenal player and is one of the cornerstones of the Denver defense. Justin’s cap hit ($36.4 million for this season and next) is not the issue. As one of the league’s top safeties, he’s earned that figure. The reason Denver should consider trading Simmons is because of the draft capital he would bring.
If made available for trade, Justin Simmons would be one of the hottest commodities on the trade market. He has at least a few prime years left and he’s an absolute stud in the safety position. It would be a bit of a stretch to say a first-round pick for Justin is expected in a trade, but several picks anywhere between the second and third rounds are reasonable expectations. Much like Garett Bolles, Justin Simmons deserves to be on a winning team as well. Wait Simmons does in Week 7 won’t determine if he’s traded or not. The offers the Broncos field for Simmons is what matters.
Courtland Sutton – Must Trade
Denver must trade Courtland Sutton for one reason: Cap space. In 2021, Sutton signed a four-year, $60.8 million contract. I don’t think anyone would argue when I say Sutton has not lived up to his contract. Denver would not get much draft capital for Courtland, but the relief on the cap is why Sutton is a must trade player.
Over the remainder of this season, and the next two seasons, Sutton carries a cap hit of $53,416,176. For a team facing a cap crisis, Courtland is just not worth that. Just take a look at his stats since he signed the contract (21 games):
• 69 receptions
• 1,104 receiving yards
• Four touchdowns
There are also a few other things to consider. Sutton has only had one season over 1,000+ yards, which was his sophomore season. Courtland has never had a season in which he had 10+ touchdown receptions. This season, heading into Week 7, he only has 25 receptions for 275 yards. To his credit, Sutton does have four touchdowns, which puts him in the top half of receivers for the season.
If you take away the tuddies, though, Courtland is on track for a season of 67 catches and 733 receiving yards. Much like Jeudy, it neither matters if Sutton has a good game nor if he has a bad game in Week 7, if there is a team willing to take Courtland Sutton, just take the deal and trade him.
Patrick Surtain II – Consider Trading
The last player the Broncos should consider trading is Patrick Surtain II. When I say they should consider trading him, I mean it should be a very light consideration. A light consideration in the sense that any call the Broncos receive concerning Surtain that doesn’t include at least a first-round pick is a no. Patrick is that good and his future is that bright.
Fox Sports ranks Patrick Surtain II as the second-best cornerback in the NFL. Regarding Surtain, Ben Arthur states, “He’s a big, long cornerback who is arguably the best technician at that position in football.” Keep in mind, Patrick is only in his third year in the league. So, he can still improve. He has the potential of being in the conversation of all-time great if he continues on this path.
There is a simple reason why Denver should lightly consider trading Surtain: His contract. Next year would be the year that the Broncos have to start considering what they’d like to do with Patrick Surtain II. This season and next, PSII holds a total dead cap hit of just over $19 million. The team has a fifth-year option on Surtain in 2025 and he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Patrick is a generational talent at the corner position. In the most ideal scenario, Denver would not trade Surtain, but there are a lot of factors to consider. First, they can avoid further future cap disasters by trading him now. If he stays, PSII will carry a hefty price tag for his next contract.
Second, of all the players for the Denver Broncos, Surtain easily carries the most potential draft capital. As I said, any offer that doesn’t include at least a first-round pick is a non-starter. I truly believe that Denver should keep Patrick. Like Simmon, he is worth the price he carries. However, if Denver is given an offer that they can’t refuse, which I think would be multiple early-round picks and players, it will be difficult for them to say no.
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