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The NFL trade deadline is set for November 10, and with Sean Payton's aggressive approach, the 4-2 Denver Broncos could emerge as buyers. The team survived the first six games largely due to its defense, while Bo Nix and the offense have barely scraped by. If Denver does make a move, it will likely target offensive upgrades to jump-start the unit.
While some intriguing defenders might be available, investing in that side of the ball makes less sense unless injuries strike between now and the deadline—something the Broncos hope to avoid. The most pressing needs are at running back, tight end, left guard, center, and right tackle, where players have underperformed and upgrades would be easiest to achieve.
Trade rumors around the league are still sparse, but a few names have surfaced. Any of these players could fit depending on the compensation required. Below is the Broncos trade deadline big board, ranked from most to least likely. Note: All players listed are on teams with no more than two wins through six weeks.
Tony Pollard | RB | Tennessee Titans
The Titans are enduring a dreadful season, and their offense is falling apart, with Cam Ward not looking like a legitimate starting quarterback. Rumors about Pollard being available have circulated since before last year's deadline. He has been mostly linked to the Seattle Seahawks, but given Denver's running-game issues and J.K. Dobbins's struggles, the Broncos could consider him. Pollard likely wouldn't cost much—perhaps an early third-round pick in 2027 or 2028, with Denver getting him and a pick a round or two later in return.
Quenton Nelson | LG | Indianapolis Colts
With the Colts firing GM Chris Ballard, many believe a fire sale is coming, but the team has made it clear it still has high expectations. However, if Indianapolis loses two of its next three games, that could change. Nelson is playing on an expiring deal, and the Colts lack a first-round pick in 2027. Rumors suggest Indy may be willing to move Nelson to add to its Day 2 draft capital in 2027. Payton could convince Broncos GM George Paton to pull the trigger on Nelson amid Ben Powers's struggles, though Powers hasn't been the weakest link on the offensive line.
Jonathan Taylor | RB | Indianapolis Colts
Taylor is a great running back, but his down-to-down consistency has struggled this year, with a success rate barely better than Dobbins's. However, Taylor does have a higher explosive run rate. Teams aren't selling out to stop Taylor, as he faces only a slightly higher rate of stacked boxes than Denver, with both below the league average. The Colts will likely ask a lot for him, and the cost could be the sticking point. There's also a fit issue: Taylor is better when the quarterback is under center, and Nix is one of the worst quarterbacks in that department, so it's not something the Broncos do much. If Denver wanted to pay for reputation, giving up an early-round pick for Taylor is possible. Still, his current level of play and running-game analytics suggest a third- or fourth-round pick instead of a first- or second-rounder.
Erik McCoy | OL | New Orleans Saints
Luke Wattenberg has been a mess, and the Broncos are stuck with him through the 2027 season due to the extension he signed last year, unless they can trade him. Payton is familiar with McCoy, who can also play left guard if Denver wanted to improve over Powers. McCoy is better at center, though, and his contract wouldn't be an obstacle in a trade. He should cost only a third- or fourth-round pick if the Saints want to move on. New Orleans may need to suffer one or two more losses before it would be willing to sell off players.
Foster Moreau | TE | Houston Texans
The Texans' offense hasn't been the issue amid their struggles; their defense has. Moreau has had a good year, and Houston will likely look to offload either Brevin Jordan or Moreau, but the former's injury history and play should stay Denver's hand. The Broncos should target Moreau, who has legitimate Y-tight end upside and could raise the floor, but would two Day 3 picks spread over the next two years be enough?
Brevyn Spann-Ford | TE | Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are underachieving, but they like Spann-Ford for his Y-tight end ability as a blocker and receiver, though he is limited as a pass-catcher. Dallas just signed him to a three-year extension, and he's a coach's favorite, but Jerry Jones likes to send messages to coaches when the team is underperforming, and that could lead to Spann-Ford being moved. There haven't been any rumors, but an earlier Day 3 pick could probably get it done if the Cowboys had interest in moving him.
Colby Parkinson | TE | Los Angeles Rams
This would be a dream get for the Broncos, as Parkinson is one of the better true Y-tight ends in the NFL. He is one of the best blocking tight ends and is more than enough of a receiving threat to be a game-changer for defenses. However, Sean McVay loves Parkinson, and the Rams love their 13 personnel, which works because of him. Parkinson is still young and could be worth a slight overpay to get the Rams to make the trade, but they're more likely to be buyers than sellers at this time in what could be Matthew Stafford's last ride. Still, like multiple other players, a few more losses could change things in L.A.
Kyren Williams | RB | Los Angeles Rams
Unlike Taylor, Williams does his best work in shotgun rather than under center, though he is more than capable at both. He isn't afraid to open up to the media about topics his team would rather keep behind closed doors, and that's something Payton would take issue with. Williams is a key player in the Rams' running game, and they're unlikely to move on from him unless they are offered a great deal, but as with Parkinson, two more losses could lead to a massive shift in the Rams' goals for this season.
Luke Goedeke | OT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are another underperforming team likely to clean house, as questions arise about whether Todd Bowles will even finish the season as head coach. The Bucs could look to sell some players and kick-start a slight rebuild, so maybe Denver could convince them to move on from their starting right tackle. The Broncos could even offer McGlinchey along with picks to get Goedeke. Probably not, though, given McGlinchey's low quality of play and his contract. Teams don't like to sell off offensive linemen who are playing well, even if the Bucs decide to be sellers. It's hard to build a quality offensive line in this league.
Trey McBride | TE | Arizona Cardinals
This is the dream. The Cardinals are wasting McBride's prime, and they're still multiple years away from being a threat. It would undoubtedly take a first-round pick just to open the conversation, because he is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. The Cardinals could be willing to trade away McBride at the right price, though. A couple more losses would likely have to happen first, and the Broncos could help with that by defeating them this week. While McBride isn't overly realistic, rumors over the past couple of years suggest Denver has been interested in him ahead of the trade deadline. Never say never.
Erick Trickel is a senior editor at Denver Broncos On SI, with an emphasis on scouting and covering the NFL draft. Erick has been with the website since 2014 and co-hosts the Building The Broncos and Dove Valley Deep-Divers podcasts on Mile High Huddle. Follow ErickTrickel.