Denver Sports: Broncos Should Be Aggressive Before Trade Deadline

The Clock Ticks for Denver’s Backfield Gamble

Here is a strange truth about the 2026 Denver Broncos: They hold the AFC’s No. 1 seed, a defense that has throttled opponents all season, and a young quarterback on a rookie contract. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, November 10, at 2 p.m. Mountain time, and Denver Sports reported the growing sentiment in Denver is that the waiting has to end now.

The Broncos are 6-2 and lead the AFC West after a dramatic comeback win over Kansas City. Their offense, however, continues to lean on a patchwork group of running backs who haven’t provided the consistency needed for a deep playoff run. Jonah Coleman has emerged as the lead back and has been a valuable asset as a receiver, but he is not an every-down workhorse. RJ Harvey is on injured reserve. And J.K. Dobbins, the prized offseason acquisition, has been a disappointment, accumulating just 306 yards on 94 carries through eight games. This week, 104.3 The Fan’s Cecil Lammey made his position clear: he is “done” relying on Dobbins.

A Question of When, Not If

Two of the NFL’s premier running backs, Jonathan Taylor and Tony Pollard, have been reported as available for a price, and Denver hasn’t managed to secure either one. The question Josh Dover posed on his midday show, “Dover and Cecil,” cuts to the heart of the matter: “What else do you need to see? How close do you have to be, to be aggressive at the trade deadline? If not now when?”

Denver Sports: Broncos Should Be Aggressive Before Trade Deadline

This isn’t just about plugging a hole. It’s about the unique, fleeting window of opportunity the Broncos have. Bo Nix’s rookie contract is a financial gift that won’t last forever. The core of this dominant defense won’t remain intact indefinitely. The chance to build a championship roster around a cheap, ascending quarterback and a top-tier defense is a rare luxury in the NFL. The risk isn’t in making a trade; the risk is in letting this season—and this unique set of circumstances—slip away because of hesitation.

“Don’t overpay, but kind of overpay, I don’t care. You’re not done yet. Do something to get done.”

That’s Lammey’s blunt advice. He and Dover agree that the team’s position justifies an aggressive move. “I still stand by my statement,” Dover said. “I’ll give up a first-round pick for Jonathan Taylor. I’m not gonna go in that route for Tony Pollard ’cause you don’t have to, but I will for Jonathan Taylor.”

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Historically, trading a first-round pick for a running back is considered a franchise-altering mistake. The math, however, changes dramatically for a team like Denver. The Broncos are making this move only because they expect to win the Super Bowl. And if they do, that first-round pick they sent away would be the 32nd overall selection—the very last pick of the first round. In effect, they’d be giving up a late first-rounder for a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro who could carry the offense through the playoffs. The calculus of the trade suddenly looks far more logical.

The Quarterback’s Best Friend

The need for a true running back isn’t just about yards and touchdowns; it’s about the entire offensive structure. Analyst Joel Klatt recently pointed out that Bo Nix plays best when the offense can run play-action, bootlegs, and RPOs (run-pass options). Those plays are only effective when defenses have to respect the run. The Broncos’ current backfield has not earned that respect. Adding a player like Jonathan Taylor would fundamentally alter how defenses approach Denver’s offense, opening up the entire playbook for Nix.

Taylor represents the high-end, all-in option. But Lammey also pointed out a more affordable path to the same goal. “Tony Pollard’s like a fifth rounder,” he said. Pollard, a durable and proven back, wouldn’t demand the same capital as Taylor. He would provide a dependable runner on early downs and crucial insurance if Coleman were to get injured.

Dover agreed that Pollard’s price shouldn’t be a barrier. “If you gotta win to get a deal done today for a fourth, give him a fourth,” he said. The choice, then, is clear. Pollard isn’t Taylor, but he’s a significant upgrade over the status quo. “And even something like Tony Pollard can help put this team over the top,” Lammey concluded. “It doesn’t have to be Jonathan Taylor.”

Ultimately, both hosts landed on the same conclusion. Taylor is the better player and worth a first-round pick if that’s the cost. Pollard is the cheaper, more accessible fallback. The scenario that should terrify Broncos fans is not trading for either one. It’s heading into the second half of the season—the most critical stretch—with the same inconsistent, injury-prone backfield they have now. The clock is ticking. They have until 2 p.m. Tuesday to decide. In Denver, it feels like the waiting is over. The time to act is now.

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