Should Broncos trade for Panthers' Christian McCaffrey?
Carolina RB Christian McCaffrey would look good in orange and blue. Perhaps it's time for the Colorado native to return home as a Denver Bronco.
According to CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones, the Carolina Panthers plan to rebuild, which means they could trade McCaffrey, a former First-Team All-Pro. The Broncos might be a good fit.
"Denver could use an adrenaline injection in the backfield," wrote Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports. "McCaffrey's short-area receiving would bode well for (Russell Wilson) establishing a rhythm."
The Broncos are second to last in scoring. Through five games, Wilson has posted an 82.8 passer rating, the lowest in his 11 seasons and below the league average.
Denver could use a player of McCaffrey's caliber because RB Javonte Williams will miss the remainder of the season with a torn right ACL and Melvin Gordon III has fumbling issues.
McCaffery's father, Ed, won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, so there's a nostalgia factor too.
The big question: Do the Broncos have enough capital to make a deal? General manager George Paton traded two first-round draft picks to Seattle in the Wilson deal in March. Denver might have to give up a young playmaker such as WR Jerry Jeudy and more for McCaffrey, an injury-prone player who hasn't played a full season since 2019.
But, if the Broncos trade for McCaffrey and he stays healthy, he could supercharge a punchless offense and make Denver an AFC threat.
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