Broncos starter considered a trade target by the 49ers

The Denver Broncos are highly invested in the AFC playoff picture as the NFL quickly approaches the midway point of the 2024 season. At 4-3, Denver nearly exceeded the team’s season win total projected against Vegas (5.5) and clearly exceeded national expectations heading into the year .

Even though Denver is fighting for a playoff spot, it appears the organization is still impressed by a competitive rebuilding season. He plays with a lot of young players and is loaded the biggest dead cap hit in the NFLDenver could make the playoffs this season, but the reality is that this team is likely still a few iterations away from championship contention.

From that perspective, it makes sense that with the Nov. 5 trade deadline approaching, the Broncos will be selling and buying in equal measure. Denver shouldn’t entertain calls from players the organization views as long-term core pieces, but will players who could be on the move as free agents come this offseason? The Broncos should at least answer the phone.

One player who fits this bill is the Broncos’ third-year linebacker DJ Jones. Athletic Michael Silver reported the matter at the beginning of last week that the San Francisco 49ers are looking to add talent to their defensive line before the trade deadline. With the NFC West open this season, San Francisco is still in the thick of things despite finishing last in the league with a 3-4 record.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic also added further insight into the 49ers’ search to bolster their interior defensive line, mentioning Jones, a former 49ers standout, as a potential trade candidate the 49ers may covet.

“Two other former San Francisco players, linebackers DeForest Buckner (Colts) and DJ Jones (Broncos), have been discussed internally by team decision-makers, but I do not have the impression that Indy or Denver are open to transferring either player.” Rusini wrote.

Jones is enjoying a renaissance in Denver after a disappointing 2023 campaign. Jones is a shorter, stockier player than the average two-spaced center at 6-foot-10, 320 pounds and with limited length. However, he pairs well with Denver’s other interior players, Zach Allen, Malcolm Roach and John Franklin-Myers, in a more pressure-oriented offense under Vance Joseph’s blitz-focused defense.

Considering Denver’s run defense is arguably the worst aspect of what could be one of the best defenses in the NFL this season, why would the Broncos even consider sending Jones?

Jones is in the final year of his contract in Denver and will turn 30 this offseason. There’s a chance he’ll be retained, but given the other areas of the lineup that need to be addressed, Jones could very well walk. Given Denver currently has the 10th-best cap in the league this coming offseason, it’s unlikely the Broncos will receive a pick to compensate for Jones’ release. The Broncos will likely issue an equivalent or larger contract to the free agent, which would eliminate any possible compensation pick for Denver.

As Russini stated in her article, the Broncos likely won’t want to move on from Jones. It’s hard to imagine the team getting much of a return with the 29-year-old run-stopping interior running back making its defensive loss worthwhile this season.

Any move, such as swapping mid-to-late Day 3 picks, isn’t as valuable as just keeping Jones in his current role. If the 49ers were willing to give up a 4th round pick or trade away a Day 2 pick in exchange for Jones and an early Day 3 pick from Denver, perhaps Denver could make a play, but that seems unlikely.

If the Broncos move on from Jones, expect to see more of former 4th round pick Eiyoma Uwazurike. After missing all of 2023 due to a gambling suspension, the Broncos kept him around and praised him whenever the opportunity arose.

There seems to be internal optimism that Uwazurike will become a serviceable player at some point in the near future, and Jones’ departure will accelerate that opportunity.

It’s unlikely that the Broncos will take away from the team’s strength and make it more difficult in the playoffs by moving on from extremely useful defensive tackle DJ Jones. He had a very good season in the team’s most improved unit and is a key cog in the run defense.

Removing him could have a domino effect on the entire team, which will endure little investment at the inside linebacker position due to the strength of the secondary coverage and deep rotation of defensive linemen.

Jones may not be a part of the Broncos the next time his team truly competes for a championship, given his age and the final year of his contract, but that doesn’t mean the team should just give him up for a small return.

If the 49ers are willing to give up a valuable draft pick in return, Denver should be interested. But no matter, it’s just better to keep him for the 2024 playoff run and reassess whether the team should keep him this offseason.