The Denver Broncos could find themselves as rare buyers at the NFL Trade Deadline, which takes place on November 4th at 2:00 p.m. MT.
Injuries could be a factor here for George Paton and Sean Payton, despite the pairing not really being active as buyers or sellers over the course of their first two seasons together. With extensive capital going into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Broncos could potentially offset some picks if it means getting somebody who can help them.
Right now, the Broncos are dealing with injuries at the tight end position, with Lucas Krull potentially being out for the remainder of the season, needing surgery on a broken foot, and Nate Adkins possibly suffering a significant knee injury in Sunday’s win against the Dallas Cowboys.
As we await word on Adkins official status, Denver’s current tight end room consists of Adam Trautman and Evan Engram. Denver’s practice squad features seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner and Patrick Murtagh, and there’s a chance Payton could roll with one of them in the lineup, but it feels like that’s unlikely right now, considering the team’s position at 6-2 and the need to keep rolling offensively.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini noted on Sunday in her notebook that the Broncos are monitoring the tight end market.
With the Trade Deadline fast approaching, here are a couple of names the Broncos should inquire about if they do look at trading for a tight end.
David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are an awful team this season with the exception of Myles Garrett, and with them sitting at 2-6 and no hope or answer in sight, the clock could be ticking on Kevin Stefanski and several of Cleveland’s best players.
One of those names that could be on the block could be tight end David Njoku, who many in Broncos Country have clamored for over the course of the last few years. Njoku is essentially in the final year of his contract with the Browns, with 2026 set to be a void/UFA year per Spotrac.
The risk for the Broncos would be giving up draft assets for a player who could be a half-season rental, but if Payton and Paton feel like it could add juice to the offense, which it would. It’s certainly worth picking up the phone and inquiring about.
Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews would more than likely be the more realistic option for the Broncos at the trade deadline, considering their 2-5 record. The looming return of Lamar Jackson could change that, however. Andrews has played 70% of the Ravens offensive snaps and has been the primarily featured guy due to Isaiah Likely working his way back from a foot fracture suffered in camp into his previously established role, playing 62% of the offensive snaps behind and alongside Andrews.
Like Njoku, Andrews is in the final year of his contract with Baltimore and would instantly work his way into the rotation with Engram and Trautman.
Tommy Tremble – Carolina Panthers
Tommy Tremble of the Carolina Panthers is another name to keep an eye on. He has one year left in his current contract with the Panthers, and with Carolina sitting at 4-4 and Ja’Tavion Sanders being listed ahead of him on the team’s depth chart, he could be worth looking into.
Tremble has played 60% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps, while Sanders has played 56%. He’d automatically be a guy who could fill in for Adkins if his injury is, in fact, a significant one.
We’ll see if the Broncos are truly considering the idea of buying at the deadline over the next week and a half, especially with Denver playing on Sunday, then facing a short turnaround afterwards with a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders two days after the deadline.
