ESPN analyst names Broncos as one of the best landing spots for big name that was recently placed on the trading block
If there is one clear priority for the Denver Broncos during the 2025 offseason, it's that they must surround second year quarterback Bo Nix with better weapons. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton is the only consistent threat that they have. Getting another quality pass catcher to complement him will not only improve Denver's offense, but further […]
If there is one clear priority for the Denver Broncos during the 2025 offseason, it's that they must surround second year quarterback Bo Nix with better weapons.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton is the only consistent threat that they have. Getting another quality pass catcher to complement him will not only improve Denver's offense, but further develop Nix into an upper echelon QB.
The Broncos could accomplish that by making the splash move of trading for Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf, who requested to be traded on Wednesday. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell believes that Denver is one of the best landing spots for Metcalf given that Nix is on a rookie contract and it already has an elite defense.
"They have a quarterback on a rookie deal in Bo Nix, who is in the middle of a four-year, $18.6 million contract," Barnwell wrote. "The only playmaker on the offense who isn't on a rookie contract is 30-year-old wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who is entering the final year of his extension and is due $14 million in non-guaranteed money. Coach Sean Payton has almost always had a receiver in his offenses who thrived with physicality and catch radius. In New Orleans, that guy was Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham or Michael Thomas, who won so often on in-breaking routes that former Bucs corner Carlton Davis derogatorily referred to him as "slant boy." Nix went just 33-of-65 for 691 yards with a touchdown, two picks and a 61.8 passer rating on slants and in routes last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Metcalf has the potential to play that role and give Nix a playmaker over the middle of the field."
However, Barnwell also said that the Broncos could be hesitant to potentially deal significant draft capital after the debacle of acquiring QB Russell Wilson a few years ago.
"The issue for the Broncos, instead, is draft capital," Barnwell stated. "They didn't have first-round picks in 2022 or 2023, had to trade up to get into the second round of the 2023 draft, and didn't have a second-rounder in 2024, all as a result of the trades for Payton and Russell Wilson. They'll be out from under the cap implications of the Wilson trade after this season, but they are going to be feeling the impact of the missing draft picks on their roster for years to come."
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Seattle is looking to net both a first and third-round pick for Metcalf.
That's a hefty price, and likely not realistic at the end of the day. Denver has the salary cap space to give Metcalf the contract extension that he's looking for, and he would definitely be a fit in Payton's offensive system. The decision would come down to how many draft picks, and how high they are, that it would cost to acquire him.
A second-round pick in 2019, Metcalf has had an excellent six-year career with the Seahawks, featuring three seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. In total he recorded 438 receptions, 6,324 yards, and 48 touchdowns in 97 games played. Metcalf has been named to the Pro Bowl twice, and was Second-Team All-Pro in 2020.
Denver Broncos star is looking to secure a lucrative contract extension coming off a breakout season in 2024
Striking while the iron is hot.
