With the NFL trade deadline looming on November 5, the Denver Broncos, currently second in the league in sacks, are exploring potential moves to strengthen their defense. Led by Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, two players ranked in the top 10 for sacks this season, the Broncos have been heavily reliant on their blitz, boasting the league’s highest blitz rate according to Pro Football Reference. However, to reduce the need for constant blitzing and to bolster their pass rush, the Broncos could look to acquire a top defensive talent from a struggling team.
One intriguing target is Cleveland Browns’ star defensive end, Myles Garrett. The Browns, sitting at 1-6, have already started offloading key players, including wide receiver Amari Cooper, and could potentially entertain offers for Garrett. A proposed trade could send Garrett to Denver in exchange for a 2025 first-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and linebacker Baron Browning. The deal would also include a 2025 seventh-round pick going to Denver.
Though trading for Garrett would be costly, it mirrors blockbuster trades such as the New York Giants’ deal for Brian Burns and the Broncos’ own trade of Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins in 2022. Garrett, a three-time All-Pro, remains one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, despite posting fewer sacks (4.0) this season compared to previous years. His consistency in generating double-digit sacks for six straight seasons makes him a valuable asset, though his performance has been affected by Cleveland’s inability to hold leads in games.
Myles getting it done against his favorite opponent
try a triple team next time pic.twitter.com/JMyKzTnaRy
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 10, 2023
While Garrett is under contract through 2026 with hefty cap hits, the Broncos have the salary cap flexibility to accommodate him, unlike the Browns, who would face significant dead cap penalties. Although Cleveland is reportedly hesitant to trade a cornerstone player like Garrett, and Browns insiders like Mary Kay Cabot have suggested he’s unlikely to be part of a fire sale, Denver should still explore the possibility. Garrett himself has expressed loyalty to Cleveland but acknowledges that in a losing season, no player is untouchable. If the Broncos can make an offer that the Browns can’t refuse, acquiring Garrett could provide a game-changing boost to Denver’s defense.
