Report: Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper could be on the trade block

According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Broncos edge rushers Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper could be on trade block ahead of the looming trade deadline.

In their report, they indicate that Browning, who has seen his playing time dwindle recently and is in a contract year, could be available at the trade deadline. They also say, that starting edge rusher Jonathon Cooper, who is also in a contract year, could be available as well.

Denver Broncos edge Baron Browning: A converted off-the-ball LB who had 4.5 sacks last year, Browning’s playing time has dwindled in Denver and he’s in a contract year. He could be available. Denver has depth at the position. Linebacker Jonathan Cooper could draw interest, as well.

My initial reaction to this report is, why? The Broncos are currently at 5-3, have won five out of their last six games, and look poised to make a postseason rush. Subtracting from their edge rushing room while entering the second half of the season where they hope to make a postseason run, would not make sense. Edge rusher is one position where you can never have enough players and the Broncos cannot afford to weaken that unit.

If the Broncos were sitting at 3-5 right now, sure, I would entertain the idea. Both players are free agents at the end of the year so if you’re not planning on re-signing them, you should move them for some value. That is not the reality right now for the Broncos so this report is a bit curious to me.

Of the two, Browning makes the most sense to be moved, Cooper has started all 8 games for the Broncos this season and has 5.5 sacks. Moving him would be a head-scratcher considering he is a big part of the defense. Browning meanwhile is in a rotational role and has not produced like Cooper. Add in the production from Nik Bonitto and the addition of promising-looking rookie Jonah Elliss, and you can see why they would entertain moving Browning.

9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis asked Browning about this trade report after today’s game. Browning said that he would like to stay with the Broncos and does not want to leave, but that “some things are out of my control.”

“I can only control what I can control. I have to stay in the moment. I do what I can to help this team win games. I would like to stay here. I don’t want to leave but some things are out of my control.”

Rapoport and Pelissero are two of the more reliable NFL insiders in the game so I do not think they would report this without there being some truth out there. Add in Klis asking Browning about the trade rumors and Browning’s comments only add some fuel to the fire.

The NFL trade deadline is November 5th so the Broncos have a little over a week to entertain offers and look to improve their roster. I would guess they would be buyers instead of sellers, but we shall see what they do in the coming days. In the end, I would be shocked if they moved Cooper and a little bit surprised if they moved Browning. If they can flip Browning for some receiving help or maybe a tight end or running back, I would be okay with it, but again, we shall see.

What do you think Broncos Country? Should the Broncos put edge rushers Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper on the trade block? If they are moved, what sort of compensation would you realistically want back?

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