by Denver Broncos trade deadline players discussions have intensified as the team balances between strengthening for a playoff push and planning for the future. While the Broncos have impressed this season, smart roster management remains crucial. With the deadline approaching on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Denver could explore moving a few veterans to free up cap space or gain draft assets. Let’s examine three players who might be on the move before the trade window closes.
1. Jaleel McLaughlin, Running Back
Jaleel McLaughlin quickly became a fan favorite, showcasing electric speed and potential during his first two seasons. Yet, the 2025 offseason saw a significant change in the Denver Broncos’ running back room, making him one of the most talked-about Denver Broncos trade deadline players. The team invested heavily by drafting RJ Harvey and signing veteran J.K. Dobbins, which has drastically altered the depth chart.
Head coach Sean Payton has seemingly settled on a rotation that often features Dobbins and Harvey, with Tyler Badie often seeing the third-down and change-of-pace snaps. Consequently, McLaughlin has been a healthy scratch in most games this season. For a team to maximize its assets, moving a talented but underutilized player for a future draft pick makes perfect sense. While the return for the Denver Broncos might not be substantial, a team looking for a young, explosive back with proven production could certainly view McLaughlin as an upgrade, making him a prime candidate among the Denver Broncos trade deadline players.
2. Ja’Quan McMillian, Cornerback
The situation with Ja’Quan McMillian presents a complex challenge for the Denver Broncos’ front office as the trade deadline approaches. McMillian has been a solid contributor, seeing a fair amount of defensive snaps this season. However, the team used a high draft pick on cornerback Jahdae Barron in the 2025 NFL Draft, signaling a clear plan for the future of the position.
Barron is expected to transition into a starting role eventually, which clouds McMillian’s long-term future. Furthermore, McMillian is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, meaning the Broncos risk losing him for nothing if they don’t move him now. Despite the recent injury to Pat Surtain II making corner depth suddenly crucial, if the team believes Surtain’s absence is short-term, trading a pending free agent for a draft pick, even a late-round one, would be a sound, long-term decision. His status as a proven rotational piece makes him one of the more valuable Denver Broncos trade deadline players for a cornerback-needy team.
3. Lucas Krull, Tight End
Lucas Krull’s current situation places him squarely on the list of potential Denver Broncos trade deadline players. He is currently on injured reserve (IR), but he is eligible to return later this season. The problem for Krull, however, is the increasing congestion in the Broncos’ tight end group. The team already has established players like Evan Engram and Adam Trautman, and recently added 41-year-old veteran blocker Marcedes Lewis to the roster for depth and blocking prowess.
The addition of Lewis, in particular, suggests that the Denver Broncos may not have a clear path for Krull to return to the active roster, even when healthy. General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Sean Payton might prefer to move Krull now for any compensation, rather than waiting for his eventual return and then having to make a tough decision about cutting him for lack of a roster spot. Trading Krull would likely only net a late-round pick, possibly a seventh-rounder, but any draft capital gained by moving Denver Broncos trade deadline players who don’t factor into the team’s plans is a win for future roster building.
🎯 Final Trade Deadline Outlook for the Broncos
While the Denver Broncos are clearly in the hunt for a playoff spot and are rumored to be active buyers seeking upgrades at wide receiver or tight end, the NFL trade deadline is also about optimizing the current roster. Selling a player like McLaughlin, McMillian, or Krull isn’t a sign of waving the white flag; rather, it’s a strategic move to turn a redundant or expiring asset into something of value for the future. The front office must weigh the minimal short-term loss of depth against the long-term gain of a draft pick. The next few hours will determine which, if any, of these Denver Broncos trade deadline players are shipped out for future capital.
