Bold Trey McBride pursuit puts pressure on Broncos ahead of trade deadline

Failed Trey McBride pursuit puts pressure on Broncos to deliver before Tuesday's trade deadline

Entering Sunday's Week 9 action, McBride, who played collegiately at Colorado State, leads all tight ends with 66 receptions and ranks second in receiving yards (544), trailing Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (547). 

This season, the Broncos (6-2) are No. 21 in scoring (21.5 points per game) and No. 30 in total offense (273 yards per game), raising doubts about the AFC West leaders as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Per Sumer Sports data, Denver has been particularly woeful through the air, with its aerial attack ranking No. 30 in pass success rate (36.8 percent), defined as the percentage of plays that result in positive expected points added (EPA). McBride, meanwhile, ranks ninth among 39 tight ends who've run at least 100 routes in targeted success rate (58.1 percent).

Head coach Sean Payton's best offenses when he was with the New Orleans Saints (2006-21) also prominently featured tight ends, including Jeremy Shockey, who won a Super Bowl with the franchise in 2009, Jimmy Graham and Jared Cook. Adding a talent like McBride could have put the Broncos over the top.

But with the star two-time Pro Bowl selection off the table, Denver will have to look elsewhere to bolster its offense. Per Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer, it already has, also expressing interest in Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Schefter noted that the Colts remain open to trading the seven-year vet while still considering him "a potential part of any rebuild," possibly in an effort to increase his value on the trade market.

The clock's ticking on the Broncos to make a move, whether for Taylor or a tight end other than McBride. Few contenders may have a more pivotal trade deadline. Based on recent reports, Denver doesn't appear to believe maintaining the status quo will be enough to take the AFC.