With the NFL’s November 5 trade deadline approaching, the Denver Broncos are currently ranked second in the league for sacks, with Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto both placing in the top 10 for most sacks this season. These two players have shown significant growth, but the Broncos have also relied heavily on blitzing, leading the NFL in blitz rate according to Pro Football Reference.
To reduce this dependence and strengthen their pass rush, the Broncos might consider a trade with a struggling team. The Cleveland Browns, with a 1-6 record, have already begun trading away players, including sending Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. One player the Broncos could target is defensive end Myles Garrett.
A proposed trade could see the Broncos acquiring Garrett along with a 2025 seventh-round pick, in exchange for their 2025 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, and linebacker Baron Browning.
This would be a costly move, but comparable to trades like the New York Giants’ acquisition of Brian Burns and Denver’s own 2022 deal sending Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins. Garrett, a three-time All-Pro, has consistently posted double-digit sack seasons from 2018 to 2023, although he has 4.0 sacks so far this year, partly due to the Browns often playing from behind.
Garrett is in the third year of a five-year, $104 million contract, with a relatively low cap hit of $806,000 in 2024, which escalates to $19.8 million in 2025 and $36.2 million in 2026. While Denver’s cap space in 2025 and 2026 is projected to be favorable, the Browns face a more challenging financial situation, especially with the contract of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Though Browns insiders like Mary Kay Cabot suggest Garrett is unlikely to be traded, there is still a small chance that a “blockbuster offer” could change that. Garrett himself has acknowledged the uncertain nature of trades, especially amid a losing season, but has expressed his desire to stay and win in Cleveland. However, given the circumstances, the Broncos could consider testing the waters with an aggressive offer to land Garrett.
