2 Broncos Dream Trade Deadline Targets

For the first time since 2015, the Denver Broncos are well-positioned to be aggressive buyers at the NFL trade deadline. Plus, some of the options available could immediately upgrade some glaring roster needs.

Now, making these trades would take some creativity and cap maneuvering from George Paton, but Broncos Country shouldn’t be pessimistic about their team’s ability to take a big swing. The Broncos could easily free up enough money to make just about any deal they wanted, between restructures and potential cut options, and Paton’s draft war chest has plenty of capital.

If the Broncos do choose to swing for the fences, here are some dream additions they should look to make.

David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns

The Broncos have been heavily tied to tight end during this trade deadline, ever since The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported they had been making calls on players at the position.

In the wake of that report, Broncos Country has latched on to the idea of bringing in Mark Andrews or T.J. Hockenson, but it’s the Browns’ David Njoku who they should be circling.

Since 2021, Njoku has ranked eighth among all tight ends in receiving yards and sixth among his peers in receiving TDs, and he’s produced at that high level despite being saddled with some of the league’s worst quarterback play over that span.

Plus, with Njoku being a better redzone target and more consistent inline option than Evan Engram, the two’s skillsets should be more complementary than redundant.

The differences between Njoku and Engram are most apparent as blockers though. In the run game, Njoku is a legitimate weapon and would likely be an upgrade over Adam Trautman, even without considering their receiving impact. He’s not Darnell Washington, but he’s comfortably above average.

Because of that blocking ability, Njoku and Engram should thrive together. The team could have Njoku attached to the offensive line while Engram works out of the slot, and easily create the mismatches that Sean Payton loves to exploit, while remaining a legitimate rushing threat.

Finally, the Browns should be motivated to move Njoku. His contract expires after this season, and it’s unlikely Cleveland will pay to bring him back with rookie TE Harold Fannin emerging. Shipping Njoku out now would be a great way for a rebuilding franchise to add some draft capital.

Jordyn Brooks, LB, Miami Dolphins

Just like adding David Njoku would work wonders for the offense, adding Jordyn Brooks to the defense could take an already-elite unit and transform them into the type of special defense we only see two or three times per decade.

As good as the Broncos’ defense already is, the linebacker position has been a serious flaw that opponents have repeatedly picked at. With Dre Greenlaw making his return this week, that deficiency will be mitigated somewhat, but Greenlaw’s sustained health remains a legitimate concern, and the Broncos lack an exciting partner to pair with him.

Greenlaw’s return won’t prevent offenses from placing their crosshairs squarely on whichever linebacker lines up beside him, so long as that pairing is Alex Singleton or Justin Strnad.

With Jordyn Brooks, opposing attacks would have to pick their poison.

Brooks is a dramatic upgrade in coverage over both Strnad and Singleton, but he still offers the blitzing and run-defense prowess that those two do, though he’s likely an upgrade there as well.

So, why would the Dolphins trade him?

After firing GM Chris Grier on Friday, the Dolphins are due for a full-fledged rebuild, and they’re currently lacking draft capital. An aging off-ball linebacker isn’t going to do much for them for the final year and a half of his contract, and they’d be better off swapping him for draft capital.

Adding Greenlaw to the mix will shore up a weakness. Doubling down by trading for a player like Brooks would turn that weakness into a defined strength and one of the best linebacking tandems in the sport.