The Denver Broncos have shown the last two offseasons they aren’t afraid to make some splash moves if they feel it will get them close to contention. In 2022, it was a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson. This year it was to bring Sean Payton over from the New Orleans Saints to coach in Denver.
What could be next for the Broncos? After their spending spree in free agency this offseason, nothing can be considered off the table. The team identified players they wanted to target and pursued them aggressively.
Denver will be much improved in the trenches where they signed right tackle Mike McGlinchey, left guard Ben Powers and defensive lineman Zach Allen. Despite having limited draft capital the Broncos also hit on a few needs in the 2023 NFL Draft, snagging an interior offensive lineman and help on the defense at the second and third level.
This is a team that should be much improved in 2023, especially if Payton can get Wilson back on track. Defensively this team was stout last year, but the offense let them down. Even a slightly below-average offense compared to the bottom-of-the-barrel one the Broncos had last season would have resulted in a playoff spot.
With questions surrounding the offense, no one would blame the Broncos if they went all in on improving the defense. One player to keep an eye on in that regard is Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White.
Denver has been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the talented linebacker and the fit makes sense. White would be a fit in Vance Joseph’s scheme and he also has a history of finding success against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, something the Broncos will need to do to compete in the AFC West.
What could a trade between the Broncos and Buccaneers look like? Short on draft capital again next year, Denver would have to think long and hard about making an offer. They could get aggressive, flipping their 2024 first-round pick for White, but that would leave them without a selection in the first three rounds next year.
If the Broncos want to hold onto that first-rounder, they could offer a fifth-round pick in 2024 with a second and fourth-rounder in 2025. That could be a tough sell for Tampa Bay, who is staring down a roster reset after Tom Brady’s retirement with a capped-out, older roster.
The lack of draft capital for Denver is something that could be alleviated by trading a player such as wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. While they were reportedly holding out for a first-round pick, getting a package highlighted by a Round 2 pick would be great for the franchise.
In that scenario, they would essentially be committing long-term money to White, albeit at a much higher number, over Jeudy. Jeudy is entering Year 4 in the league compared to White, who is set to play out his fifth-year option.
