The Denver Broncos are riding high at 5-3, but the upcoming NFL trade deadline is keeping things tense, with several players potentially on the chopping block. After their recent win over the Carolina Panthers, trade buzz is swirling around players like edge rusher Baron Browning, who finds himself at the center of speculation following his return from injury.
Browning, who started the season strong before landing on injured reserve with a foot injury, expressed his desire to stay in Denver despite uncertain prospects. “I can only control what I can control,” he told 9News. “I don’t want to leave, but some things are out of my control.” With Nik Bonitto now cemented as the starting edge rusher, Browning’s future in Denver is uncertain, especially as the Broncos have depth at the position, including rookies like fourth-rounder Jonah Elliss.
While Browning’s name circulates in trade discussions, teammate Jonathon Cooper is also generating interest. Cooper, who currently boasts 5.5 sacks this season, has proven his worth since being drafted in the seventh round in 2021. Some argue that Cooper, in the final year of his rookie contract, would be a more valuable asset to extend than to trade away. “It makes more sense to extend the former seventh-round draft pick with a new contract than trade him away,” Mike Klis of 9News noted, suggesting Cooper could be a long-term defensive anchor.
Denver might also consider bolstering their roster, with a noticeable lack of production from the tight end position sparking interest in Cleveland Browns’ star David Njoku. The Denver Post’s Troy Renck advocated for the move, suggesting Njoku could be the missing piece in Denver’s offensive puzzle, similar to the Vernon Davis acquisition in 2015, a trade that was instrumental in the Broncos’ Super Bowl run.
The current tight end corps has yet to make a significant impact, tallying just 24 receptions, 242 yards, and two touchdowns all season. Both scores came in the win over Carolina, with Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins stepping up, but Renck argues it’s not enough. “You need to add [Russell Wilson] a tight end in the passing game,” Renck said on The Broncos Podcast. “If you go get David Njoku from the Cleveland Browns…it could give this offense a spark it desperately needs.”
The Broncos have until November 5 to make their moves, and the question remains: will they double down on their current lineup, go shopping for offensive weapons, or capitalize on player trade interest to build for the future? With a winning record and playoff aspirations, Denver faces a tough decision ahead.
