Who to Trade For Asked of the Denver Broncos

As the 2025 NFL trade deadline approaches, the question of “Who to trade for?” looms large for the Denver Broncos—a team with playoff aspirations but clear roster gaps that could derail their success. General manager George Paton and Sean Payton have made it clear they’re willing to part with draft capital to acquire impact players, but the targets must align with two key criteria: they must fit the Broncos’ scheme, and they must address immediate needs without sacrificing long-term flexibility. The Broncos’ most critical holes are at wide receiver (a reliable No. 2 to complement Courtland Sutton), interior defensive line (depth behind D.J. Jones), and backup quarterback (insurance for Russell Wilson). Who to Trade For Asked of the Denver Broncos thus breaks down the top candidates for each position, explaining why they make sense for Denver and what it would cost to acquire them.

The Broncos’ top trade target should be Cade Otton, tight end, Tampa Bay Buccaneers—a player who fills a pressing need while adding versatility to Payton’s offense. Otton, a third-year player out of Washington, has fallen out of favor in Tampa Bay’s pass-heavy scheme but excels at the exact skills the Broncos need: in-line blocking (critical for their run game) and reliable short-yardage receiving (he’s caught 82% of his targets inside the 20-yard line). With Lucas Krull sidelined by knee surgery, the Broncos’ tight end depth chart is thin—Chris Manhertz is a solid blocker but lacks receiving upside, and rookie Jake Bobo is unproven. Otton would immediately step in as the No. 2 tight end, allowing the Broncos to resume their two-tight end sets (a staple of their red-zone offense) and giving Wilson a safety valve in the passing game. The cost to acquire Otton would be minimal—likely a fourth-round pick—since the Buccaneers are rebuilding and have younger tight ends ahead of him on the depth chart. “Otton is a scheme fit for us,” said a league source familiar with the Broncos’ thinking. “He can block, catch, and move around the formation—exactly what Sean looks for in a tight end.” Who to Trade For Asked of the Denver Broncos thus frames Otton as a low-cost, high-impact target.

Another priority target for the Broncos is Jeffery Simmons, defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans—a Pro Bowl-caliber interior lineman who would elevate their run defense and pass rush. Simmons, a five-year veteran, has become expendable in Tennessee after the Titans shifted to a 3-4 scheme (he’s a natural 4-3 three-technique who excels at penetrating gaps). For the Broncos, Simmons would solve two problems: he’d provide immediate depth behind Jones (who’s been limited by a calf strain) and add a second interior pass rusher to pair with Jones—something the Broncos lack (their interior linemen have combined for just 4 sacks this season). Simmons has 23.5 career sacks and 80 tackles for loss, and he’s proven he can shut down elite running backs (he held Derrick Henry to 3.2 yards per carry last season). The cost to acquire Simmons would be steeper than Otton—likely a second-round pick and a conditional 2026 pick—but his contract (four years remaining at $15 million per year) makes him a long-term investment, not just a rental. “Simmons is the kind of player who changes a defense,” said Broncos defensive line coach Marcus Dixon. “He can stop the run on first down and collapse the pocket on third down—we haven’t had that kind of versatility inside since Shelby Harris.” Who to Trade For Asked of the Denver Broncos thus highlights Simmons as a transformative target for the defense.

The Denver Broncos should also consider trading for Gardner Minshew, backup quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles—a reliable No. 2 who can step in and win games if Wilson gets injured. Minshew, a six-year veteran, has proven he’s more than just a placeholder: he’s compiled a 19-16 career record as a starter, including a playoff win with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. With Jarrett Stidham sidelined by a knee injury, the Broncos’ backup quarterback is undrafted rookie Ben DiNucci—an unproven player who hasn’t taken a regular-season snap. Minshew would provide peace of mind: he’s familiar with West Coast-style offenses (similar to Payton’s scheme) and has a history of making plays with his legs (he’s rushed for 1,100 yards in his career), which aligns with the Broncos’ run-first approach. The cost to acquire Minshew would be a late-round pick (fifth or sixth round), since the Eagles have a stable starter in Jalen Hurts and are unlikely to re-sign Minshew in free agency. “Having a backup quarterback you trust is non-negotiable in the NFL,” Payton said recently. “Gardner has shown he can lead a team, and he’d fit right in with our guys.” The Denver Broncos’ interest in Minshew reflects their commitment to avoiding the “quarterback crisis” that has derailed playoff runs for other teams—ensuring they can stay competitive even if Wilson misses time. Who to Trade For Asked of the Denver Broncos thus emphasizes Minshew as a critical insurance policy.

The Denver Broncos could also benefit from trading for Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns—a former Bronco who has rediscovered his form in Cleveland and could reunite with Wilson to fix Denver’s passing game. Jeudy, who was traded to the Browns in 2024, has bounced back this season with 45 catches for 612 yards and 4 touchdowns—proving he can be a reliable No. 2 receiver when paired with a veteran quarterback (Deshaun Watson). For the Broncos, Jeudy would immediately solve their biggest offensive problem: he’s a deep threat who can stretch the field (he’s averaging 13.6 yards per catch) and take double teams off Sutton, opening up the passing game. Jeudy is familiar with Payton’s scheme from his time in Denver, which would minimize the learning curve, and he has a existing rapport with Wilson (the two connected for 12 touchdowns in 2023). The cost to acquire Jeudy would be a third-round pick and a conditional pick (that becomes a second-rounder if the Broncos make the playoffs)—a reasonable price for a player who knows the team and can immediately impact the offense. “Jerry was a fan favorite here, and he’s a better player now,” said a Broncos front office source. “He’s matured, he’s healthier, and he fits exactly what we need at receiver.” The Denver Broncos’ interest in Jeudy isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about acquiring a proven playmaker who can turn their good offense into a great one. Who to Trade For Asked of the Denver Broncos thus shows Jeudy as a sentimental but strategic target.

Finally, the Denver Broncos should explore trading for Frank Clark, edge rusher, Kansas City Chiefs—a veteran pass rusher who can provide depth behind Nik Bonitto and Brian Burns while adding a playoff-tested presence to the defense. Clark, a Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, has fallen out of the Chiefs’ rotation this season (he’s played just 40% of defensive snaps) but still has the ability to get to the quarterback (he has 3 sacks in limited action). For the Broncos, Clark would add much-needed depth to an edge rushing unit that has relied heavily on Bonitto and Burns—reducing the risk of injury and keeping the pass rush fresh late in games. Clark is familiar with the AFC West, which would help him prepare for divisional matchups against the Chiefs and Raiders, and he’s a proven performer in big games (he has 8.5 career playoff sacks). The cost to acquire Clark would be a sixth-round pick, since the Chiefs are looking to clear cap space and have younger edge rushers (George Karlaftis, Mike Danna) ahead of him. “Frank is a winner,” said Joseph. “He knows what it takes to get to the Super Bowl, and he can bring that mindset to our locker room. Plus, he can still get to the quarterback—something we need more of.” The Denver Broncos’ interest in Clark reflects their focus on “win-now” moves—acquiring players who can contribute immediately while keeping future draft capital intact. Who to Trade For Asked of the Denver Broncos thus concludes by highlighting Clark as a low-cost, high-upside addition that could push the Broncos over the top in the AFC West.