Broncos offseason checklist: Should Denver trade for Super Bowl champion?

With the new league year kicking off March 12, NFL teams are already deep into planning for the offseason. 

Here are five moves the Denver Broncos should make in the coming months.

1. Trade for a veteran WR

Broncos QB Bo Nix exceeded expectations during his rookie season in 2024. In 17 starts, he went 10-7 and finished with the league's sixth-most TD passes (29). Denver must give Nix more weapons to help him reach the next level. 

Denver should consider trading for Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp, who has been placed on the trade block. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport has said the Rams are willing to eat some of Kupp's contract to facilitate a deal for the wideout, who earned a Super Bowl ring with Los Angeles during the 2021 season.

Kupp hasn't earned a first-team All-Pro nod since 2021, but he could still be a reliable option for Nix. In 12 regular-season games in 2024, he had 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdown catches. 

2. Draft a 'joker'

Broncos head coach Sean Payton recently told FanDuel's Kay Adams the team must find a "joker," a versatile TE or RB the coach can use to create mismatches.

The 2025 NFL Draft seems a good place to find one. The class includes talented prospects in Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. (6-foot-3, 238 pounds) and North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton (6-foot, 220 pounds). Another option, Penn State TE Tyler Warren (6-foot-6-, 257 pounds), could be gone by the time the Broncos pick at No. 20 in the first round.

In 13 games in 2024, Fannin led the FBS in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555). Hampton, meanwhile, had 2,033 yards (1,660 rushing and 373 receiving) and 17 TDs (15 rushing and two receiving) in 12 games. 

3. Extend WR Courtland Sutton 

Denver should extend one of Nix's favorite weapons in Sutton, who is entering the last year of his contract in 2025. 

In 17 games in 2024, the 29-year-old wideout led the Broncos in receptions (81), receiving yards (1,081) and TD catches (eight). 

Spotrac estimates Sutton's market value is a three-year deal worth $22.9M annually. Denver should have enough room to extend him. Per Over the Cap, the Broncos have $41.77M in cap space.

4. Target an RB in free agency

The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson recently reported the Broncos aren't expected to re-sign RB Javonte Williams, which isn't a shocker. In 17 games in 2024, Williams rushed for 513 yards on 139 carries, the second-lowest mark of his career. 

Denver RB Jaleel McLaughlin (496 yards rushing in 2024) doesn't look like a viable replacement for Williams. The Broncos should sign a running back in free agency, perhaps Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers or Rico Dowdle of the Dallas Cowboys, to fill their hole at RB.

Harris — a first-round pick in 2021 — had 1,043 rushing yards in 17 games in 2024, while Dowdle had 1,079 rushing yards in 16 games.

5. Determine whether they should extend edge-rusher Nik Bonitto

Bonitto is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and has leverage after a career year. In 2024, he had career highs in sacks (13.5 in 17 games) and tackles for loss (16) and earned a second-team All-Pro nod.  

Denver, however, may not want to reward Bonitto for one year of production. In his first two seasons with the club, he had just 9.5 sacks. 

Still, Denver shouldn't rule out an extension for Bonitto. Per Spotrac's projections, his market value is a four-year deal worth $25.5M annually. That price could increase if Denver waits and the edge-rusher has another stellar year in 2025.