With two weeks until the NFL’s November 5 trade deadline, the Denver Broncos are performing well in sacks, ranking second in the league. Two of their players, Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, are among the top 10 in the NFL for sacks this season. Despite this, the Broncos rely heavily on the blitz and lead the league in blitz rate, according to Pro Football Reference.
To strengthen their pass rush, the Broncos may target players from struggling teams. The Cleveland Browns, sitting at 1-6, have already started trading, including sending Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. With trade talks circulating, defensive end Myles Garrett could be an intriguing option for Denver.
A trade proposal could look like this:
Broncos receive:
– Myles Garrett
– 2025 seventh-round pick
Browns receive:
– 2025 first-round pick
– 2025 third-round pick
– 2026 second-round pick
– Baron Browning
While this trade would be costly, it mirrors previous high-profile deals like the New York Giants’ trade for Brian Burns and Denver’s 2022 trade of Bradley Chubb to Miami. Garrett, who has recorded double-digit sacks for six consecutive years, has 4.0 sacks through seven weeks this season, though Cleveland’s struggles may impact his stats.
Garrett, a three-time All-Pro, is in the third year of a five-year, $104 million contract. Any new team acquiring him would owe him $806,000 for the 2024 season, with that number jumping to $19.8 million in 2025 and $36.2 million in 2026. The Broncos, with over $71 million in cap space projected for 2025 and $161.9 million in 2026, could manage Garrett’s contract better than Cleveland, which would face significant dead cap hits from a potential trade.
Given Cleveland’s financial commitments, especially to quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles, the Browns may hesitate to take on more sunk costs. However, NFL insiders like Albert Breer and Mary Kay Cabot suggest that, while unlikely, a blockbuster offer for Garrett could be considered.
Garrett, for his part, has expressed a desire to stay with the Browns despite their struggles. He acknowledged the reality of losing seasons but emphasized his commitment to helping the team turn things around, reaffirming his goal to finish his career in Cleveland and bring a championship to the franchise. Even with Watson’s injury, Garrett has not indicated any change in his stance. However, if the Browns are willing to entertain an irresistible offer, the Broncos should consider exploring what that might be.
