The Denver Broncos have one of the league’s most fierce defensive units and they are coming off a season in which they posted 68 sacks, leading the league. That attack is led by edge rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper along with defensive lineman Zach Allen.
Would the Broncos be interested in moving one of these players? It seems unlikely, but teams sometimes get an offer that they can’t refuse.
While discussing dream trade scenarios for each team in the league, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report feels that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be a team that would love to take Cooper off the Broncos’ hands.
“The Denver Broncos have a strong group of outside linebackers. They signed Nik Bonitto to a four-year, $106 million extension last September. Jonathon Cooper worked his way up the depth chart, from a 2021 seventh-rounder to a highly productive pass-rusher. Jonah Elliss has shown flashes in his two seasons as a pro.
If the Broncos see something special in Elliss, a third-rounder from the 2024 draft, they may consider moving Cooper to acquire draft capital or a veteran at a position of need, which would also clear the way for the young rotational edge-rusher to start opposite Bonitto. Last year, Cooper played 61 percent of defensive snaps, a notable drop from his 71 percent rate in 2024.
Even if Denver has no plan to trade Cooper, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be on the phone to make the call about his availability.
The Buccaneers have a glaring need for an edge-rusher. Haason Reddick will be a free agent. Anthony Nelson could take on a bigger role, but he has registered fewer than six sacks in all seven of his seasons. YaYa Diaby is a solid edge defender, but he has more room for growth as a pass-rusher.
Cooper has registered at least eight sacks and 22 pressures in three consecutive seasons. He could provide a boost to Tampa Bay’s 27th-ranked pass defense”, wrote Moton.
The Broncos do like Elliss, but to suggest that the team thrusts him into the starting lineup next season is a stretch, as we have yet to see consistency from the two-year pro. Elliss has 7.5 sacks in his first two seasons in the league, but that has come in a role as a situational player, something he may be best suited for at this stage of his career.
That said, if the team could flip a former seventh-round pick into a much bigger net gain, a deal would have to be mulled over if an offer was sent. What would that look like coming from Tampa Bay? It would likely have to be draft picks, as the Bucs don’t seem to have a player that they are both looking to trade and one who would fit a major position of need in Denver.
However, if the Buccaneers were to offer something like a Day 2 draft pick for Cooper, the front office should take it under consideration.
MORE: Broncos’ ‘dream’ trade scenario could be more available than ever
There is no indication that the Broncos are looking to trade Cooper and there is no reason to shop him around as he has been terrific for the team. This would take a team calling up and making George Paton an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.
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