The Denver Broncos’ 2022 season hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts. Even though Week 7 of the season has not yet begun, it already appears that the Broncos’ season is gone.
However, there is a potential that their season might be somewhat saved. The Broncos might acquire draught capital and players to help fill injury shortages if they can make a few transactions before the trade deadline. However, because of the impressive trade package the Broncos put together to acquire Russell Wilson, general manager George Paton will need to work his magic as they don’t really have many draught picks to give up. The Broncos may find it difficult to sign some players as a result. It would be intriguing to see what Paton does at the trade deadline because he has previously been able to manoeuvre other general managers.
Trades the Broncos must make before the trade deadline
Give TE Albert Okwuegbunam a trade
Okwuegbunam was selected as the starting tight end in Week 1 of the current campaign. Okwuegbunam did not play in the Broncos’ Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to health reasons. The quick decline in Okwuegbunam’s depth has been somewhat concerning. Okwuegbunam was anticipated to be one of Wilson’s go-to targets at the start of the season. However, as evidenced by the recent decline in his snap count, he has been anything but.
Albert Okwuegbunam s snaps by game in 2022:
Week 1: 44 (67%)
Week 2: 38 (53%)
Week 3: 24 (32%)
Week 4: 1 (2%)— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 3, 2022
Greg Dulcich, a rookie, made his NFL debut and scored his first touchdown against the Chargers. On the depth chart, Eric Saubert, Eric Tomlinson, and tight end/fullback hybrid Andrew Beck have all surpassed Okwuegbunam. Now that Week 7 has arrived, Okwuegbunam is on the outside looking in. It would be surprising if Okwuegbunam wasn’t dealt given the depth the Broncos have at tight end. What kind of offers the Broncos can make for Okwuegbunam will be interesting to observe.
Trade Melvin Gordon, RB
Melvin Gordon recently used social media to express his discontent with his position with the team. Gordon had little action in the contest with the Chargers. Fans immediately noticed the identical themes in Gordon’s most recent Twitter likes.
Melvin Gordon s liked tweets are not ideal. pic.twitter.com/XgiwdA4bOC
— Graham Tiedtke (@GrahamTiedtkePO) October 18, 2022
Javonte Williams, the Broncos’ main running back, tore his ACL, ending his season. For a few games at least, Gordon was designated as the de facto RB1. Then something happened where Latavius Murray, who was just signed, began to receive the majority of Gordon’s carries. Nobody is entirely clear why this occurred, but Gordon was undoubtedly unhappy about it. Gordon and Nathaniel Hackett had a “wonderful chat,” according to head coach Hackett. Following the conversation, Hackett disclosed that Gordon will start as running back in Week 7’s matchup with the New York Jets.
If Gordon is this dissatisfied in Denver, it may be time for the Broncos to let him go. Fumbles are the very last thing the Broncos offence needs given how ineffective it has been this season and Gordon has a severe problem with them. However, the fumble problems could lower Gordon’s trade value. If the Broncos make Gordon tradeable, a team in need of running backs might be interested in acquiring him. But if Gordon makes a mistake against the Jets, he might find himself traded, or at the at least, benched, by the following week.
Find an offensive lineman who could in any manner improve the line.
There aren’t many picks available for the Broncos to trade, so there aren’t many player trade possibilities. However, the Broncos’ offensive line ranks among the team’s lowest-performing positions, so something needs to be done. In place of Garett Bolles at left tackle, Calvin Anderson was harassed by Chargers pass rushers for the duration of the first half. Because of his poor performance, Anderson was benched at halftime and Cam Fleming took his place.
Quinn Meinerz has the only positive PFF score on the offensive line, scoring 90.6 out of 100. The remaining lineman all have ranks that are average or below average. This sort of poor performance makes offence much more difficult than you may imagine. Wilson hasn’t been able to throw the ball very well, but the offensive line in charge of keeping him safe hasn’t done a very good job either.
Maybe Paton can use his magic to locate an offensive lineman who is a decent deal. Because the Broncos’ offensive line currently consists of linemen who should not be starters alongside starters. a hideous mix.
The article 3 top moves Broncos must complete before the 2022 NFL trade deadline first published on ClutchPoints.
