Kiz: Ground and pound? The Broncos added so much muscle during free agency I wonder if maybe new coach Sean Payton is going to go back to the future and operate his offense out of the single wing formation, with quarterback Russel Wilson imitating Sammy Baugh. OK, I kid. But with this apparent new emphasis on the run, does it make sense for Denver to trade Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy?
Gabriel: Other teams around the NFL have been asking the Broncos the same question. Don’t you think you could offload one of your receivers to us for a nice, low price? Denver’s quartet of Sutton, Jeudy, Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler hasn’t been on the field much together because of injuries. Patrick missed all of last year, Hamler’s played 10 games in the past two seasons, Sutton missed virtually all of 2020 and Jeudy’s had minor issues here and there. So it stands to reason Denver might be interested in finding some fresh blood.
Kiz: It’s not his fault Sutton got bit hard by the injury bug. But he hasn’t been the same receiver since suffering a torn ACL early in the COVID-plagued NFL season of 2020. I tried to warn the Broncos not to sign him to an expensive contract. Per usual, they didn’t listen. Such is life. Now, I think Denver should trade Sutton, even if it means eating a portion of that contract, because it’s harder to establish a whole new vibe with the same old cast.
Gabriel: Not only that, but as the cast gets older — and Patrick and Sutton advance further into their 2021 contract extensions — it gets more expensive. As of this morning, Over the Cap has Denver on the books for $41.77 million in 2023 cap charges at the receiver position, more than any other spot on the team and third-most at the position among NFL teams. If Arizona finds a taker for DeAndre Hopkins, Denver will move up to No. 2. Houston, meanwhile, got a fifth-rounder and a future sixth-rounder for Brandin Cooks over the weekend. At that rate, what do you make of the Broncos holding out for a first-rounder in order to part with Jeudy?
Kiz: I admit to being a bit perplexed by Jeudy, Jeudy, Jeudy. There have been times when I haven’t been certain he feels comfortable playing football in Denver. But there were also times last season when Jeudy showed distinct signs of living up to the potential that made him a first-round pick. I wouldn’t trade him, because if Payton can’t develop a receiver with skills, maybe the new coach isn’t all that and a bag of chips.
Gabriel: If you take that stance with Jeudy, process of elimination starts to take over. Hamler is cheap in 2023 and it’s hard to imagine a team parting with meaningful draft capital when he’s missed so much time. Patrick, too, is coming off an ACL injury and also has the demeanor most aligned with what Payton says he’s looking for: Tough, no nonsense, etc. That leaves Sutton who would leave behind a hefty $11.48 million dead cap hit if he’s traded this spring, but then would also clear substantial future space. Right now, Denver’s first pick of its paltry five-pick haul in April’s draft is No. 108. If you can add one before that, you’re probably thinking about making the deal.
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