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The Denver Broncos must avoid mistaking a bigger name in the backfield for a complete solution to their rushing problems. Jonathan Taylor would improve their offense, but paying a premium without addressing the blocking could leave the underlying issues unresolved.
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Denver enters Tuesday’s trade deadline at 7-2 after five consecutive victories. Sunday’s 26-21 win vs. the Carolina Panthers strengthened its position as a contender while leaving questions about an inconsistent running game.
The Broncos should explore upgrades before the 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT deadline. Their mistake would be committing major resources to a running back without first determining whether those resources would produce a greater improvement elsewhere.
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Broncos must examine the blocking before chasing Jonathan Taylor
Denver has rushed for 823 yards through nine games, averaging 91.4 yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry. Those numbers demonstrate a weakness, but they do not isolate its cause.
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Sean Payton said after the Carolina game that the struggles were not driven by the running backs. That assessment should shape Denver’s deadline priorities.
If the blocking prevents backs from reaching available space, changing the ball carrier addresses only part of the problem. Taylor could overcome some mistakes, but relying on his talent to compensate for avoidable breakdowns would limit the acquisition’s value.
Left guard belongs in that evaluation. Ben Powers is in the final year of his contract, and Alex Palczewski offers an internal alternative with starting experience.
That does not establish Powers as the reason Denver struggles or make replacing him an automatic improvement. The Broncos must distinguish individual execution from problems involving assignments, combination blocks and play selection.
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An available guard would need to represent a clear upgrade. Otherwise, improving execution with the existing personnel could accomplish more than spending a draft pick on a different name.
The same standard should apply throughout the offense: identify the breakdown before purchasing the solution.
Jonah Coleman gives Denver options
The Broncos also have reasons to keep developing their current backfield. Rookie Jonah Coleman has recorded 191 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 47 carries, adding 13 receptions for 128 yards.
Against the Panthers, Coleman handled 17 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown while catching four passes for 31 yards. His involvement gives Denver another option alongside JK Dobbins.
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Those numbers do not prove the backfield needs no help. Coleman previously missed four games, while RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie are on injured reserve. Depth remains a legitimate concern.
However, Denver should separate acquiring insurance from paying for a centerpiece. A lower-cost addition could protect against another injury without requiring the same commitment as a Taylor trade.
Coleman’s development also matters beyond the next game. The Broncos should consider how any acquisition changes his opportunities and how the resulting rotation would function when Harvey returns.
Adding talent helps only when Denver has a clear plan for using it.
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Broncos must set a firm trade limit
Taylor’s reported availability creates an opportunity, not an obligation. Denver should establish its maximum acceptable price before negotiations accelerate.
His two-year, $44 million extension makes that evaluation larger than the remaining schedule. The Broncos must assess the salary and guarantees they would inherit, rather than treat the extension’s total value as their exact financial responsibility.
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Draft compensation matters just as much. Denver already spent a first-round pick, a third-rounder, and a fourth-rounder to acquire Jaylen Waddle and another fourth-round selection from the Miami Dolphins.
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That investment does not prohibit another aggressive move. It does require the Broncos to consider the cumulative cost of improving on offense.
A reasonably priced back, a genuine guard upgrade or additional depth could each help. Denver should compare their expected contributions before choosing the biggest transaction.
The killer mistake would be paying for Taylor as though he alone can repair the running game. The Broncos need the move that fixes their most consequential weakness at a reasonable cost.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
