Okay, so Denver just snuck past our Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, a gut punch for sure, but they are not exactly riding high enough to be throwing around first-round picks at the trade deadline. We’re a few weeks out from the deadline, and the talk around the league is that the Broncos might be buyers. But if they are looking at guys like Jonathan Taylor, they need to take a hard look at the price tag, because it is straight up ridiculous.
Indy’s Fire Sale Sparks Bronco Talk
The Indianapolis Colts are a mess. They are sitting at 2-4 and just fired their long-time General Manager Chris Ballard. That kind of shake-up means one thing: fire sale. Analysts across the board are saying the Colts are about to start selling off assets, and two huge names keep popping up: running back Jonathan Taylor and left guard Quenton Nelson. You cannot deny these guys are tremendous players, no doubt about it. For Denver, a boost at running back would be nice. J.K. Dobbins has been struggling, Jonah Coleman is hurt, and RJ Harvey hasn’t seen much action in his second season. So, yeah, the need is there.
Taylor’s Asking Price Is a Non-Starter
Here’s where things get wild. Reports are suggesting the Colts want to get back a first-round pick for Taylor. Why? To recoup the one they shipped off to the New York Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardener. If that is truly the price, then Denver should walk away. Immediately. It is not just the draft capital, which is already insane for a running back. Taylor also has a massive two-year contract Denver would have to absorb.
Listen, the Broncos have some extra Day 3 draft capital coming in, sure. They are getting a fourth-round compensatory pick for John Franklin-Myers and a seventh-round pick from the New Orleans Saints from that Devaughn Vele trade. That is nice, but it is not a first-rounder. Denver is not in a position to trade away another top draft selection. They have done that three of the last five years, using a total of four first-round picks to acquire Jaylen Waddle, Head Coach Sean Payton, and Russell Wilson. The truth is, Denver has a ton of long-term needs. Tossing away a top pick for a short-term, expensive rental at running back just seems flat out unwise.
An All-Pro Lineman, But At What Cost?
Then there is Quenton Nelson. The guy is an All-Pro, easily one of the best offensive linemen in the entire NFL. He would be a massive upgrade over Ben Powers, who has had an up and down tenure with Denver. Nelson is in the final year of his contract with the Colts, which is interesting. But you can bet his price tag is going to be high too.
The clock is ticking on the trade deadline, just a few weeks out. Denver’s got some serious choices to make about these potential moves. They better make them count, unlike how they played against *our* guys last week.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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