October 11th 2024.
After a third of the season has passed, the Broncos have found themselves in a promising position, except for one major concern – their receivers. However, their three-game winning streak is something to be hopeful about. The team's defense has been strong and their offense has shown steady improvement. Looking at their upcoming schedule, it's clear that the Broncos have a great chance to reach a 6-2 or 5-3 record by the halfway point of the season.
But the clock is ticking and the trade deadline on November 5th is approaching quickly. The Broncos know they need to make a move to acquire a proven receiver before it's too late. Bo Nix, the team's quarterback, could use some help and if the Broncos continue to compete, they deserve to have it.
Many believe that the perfect choice would be Cincinnati's Tee Higgins. He would be a significant upgrade for the Broncos, but it's not as simple as just making a trade. There are financial considerations and the Bengals' schedule to take into account. However, the Broncos understand that they don't have to go all-in to make this happen. Acquiring a receiver would only require a minimal amount of draft capital. For example, the Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly asked for a second-round pick and to absorb the remaining salary of Davante Adams. Could the Broncos secure Higgins for a third-round pick? Before the season began, it was rumored that the Bengals were asking for a second-round pick, but now their leverage has decreased as Higgins gets closer to free agency.
It's uncertain whether Higgins will even be available for trade. The Bengals may be 1-4, but their next four games could turn things around for them. So why is Higgins the top choice for the Broncos if Cincinnati starts to struggle? Well, at just 25 years old, he is nearly four years younger than the Broncos' current top receivers, Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds. Not to mention, the Broncos haven't had a receiver surpass 1,000 yards since 2019, while Higgins has done it twice. He's benefited from playing with star quarterback Joe Burrow and his own natural talent. Plus, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he fits the type of receiver that coach Sean Payton likes.
It's clear that the Broncos need more playmakers on their team, but there's no indication that they will pursue one until after the season. This is why their upcoming game against the Chargers is so crucial. A win would announce the Broncos as serious contenders, and while some may see them as a team in transition, Payton and owner Greg Penner had high expectations for this season.
The Broncos have shown improvement in many areas, but their receiving corps is not one of them. Acquiring Higgins would be complicated due to his current contract situation. He's playing under the $21.8 million franchise tag, which would also apply to any team that acquires him. This means that a long-term contract cannot be negotiated until after the season. However, if the Broncos were to trade for him, they would be responsible for his prorated salary of roughly $11 million over the final nine weeks of the season. The motivation for this would be to boost the passing game – the Broncos currently rank 28th in the league with just 163.8 yards per game – and to sign Higgins to a new long-term deal before he becomes a free agent.
The biggest challenge would be making this work under the salary cap. The Broncos are already tight on cap space, having converted $11.875 million of Sutton's $13 million salary into a bonus to fit in rookie Pat Surtain II's contract. One potential solution could be to give left tackle Garett Bolles a contract extension. If that doesn't quite cover the cost, the Broncos could also consider trading backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
Higgins presents the Broncos with everything they've been lacking since the days of Demaryius Thomas. In just three games (he missed some time with a hamstring injury), he's averaged six catches and 61 yards per game with two touchdowns as the secondary target to Ja'Marr Chase. In comparison, Sutton is on pace for 58 catches, 762 yards, and three touchdowns – similar to his stats from the past three seasons. It's worth noting that his 10 touchdowns in 2023 were likely an outlier due to playing with Russell Wilson, who is known for his improvisation skills.
This is not a criticism of Sutton, but rather an acknowledgment that he would fit well as the No. 2 receiver alongside Higgins, pushing Reynolds – who has been dealing with multiple injuries – into a more suitable role. While Sutton's stats and route separation may be suffering, his leadership is not. He's shown admirable resilience while navigating this season with a rookie quarterback and has a "we-not-me" mentality.
As the second longest-tenured player on the team, Sutton has never experienced a winning season or a playoff berth. Achieving these goals will require some sacrifices, but adding Higgins to their roster would not only make the Broncos a better team, but it would also make Sutton's job easier.
Of course, there are other options that may seem more seamless. The Broncos could trade for Amari Cooper from Cleveland – he would only cost about $600,000 – but at 30 years old, he would likely only be a rental. Alternatively, they could forego receivers altogether and make a late-round trade with New England for veteran tight end Austin Hooper.
But true winners are not afraid to make bold moves. If there is a receiver on the market in three weeks that seems like a perfect fit for the Broncos, they need to take a swing and go for it. After all, the Broncos have nothing to lose by trying to improve their team. Sign up for the Broncos Insider for all the latest news and analysis on the team.
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