The 1-4 Denver Broncos are going to be selling during the trade deadline and pass rusher Frank Clark will probably be on the way out. The former two-time Super Bowl champion was supposed to be yet another ferocious piece to a dangerous pass rush, but that plan has not come to fruition. The Broncos have arguably the worst defense in the league, and it doesn’t make sense for Denver to hold on to an aging player like Clark for the remainder of his one-year deal. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos have received multiple inquiries for Clark’s services, and these five teams make the most sense as potential trade destinations.
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5 Teams That Could Trade For Frank Clark
Kansas City Chiefs
This is easily the most likely destination for Clark. The three-time Pro Bowler spent a sizable portion of his career with Kansas City before the team decided to release him for salary cap purposes in the offseason. The Chiefs still tried to bring him back as a free agent, but Clark ultimately decided to sign with the Denver Broncos. Well, now the Chiefs could get him back for a fraction of the original price. According to Rapoport, any team trading for Clark would only be on the hook for whatever remains of a $1.21 million base salary.
It’s important to note that the Denver Broncos are effectively out of the playoff picture and should be willing to trade Frank Clark to just about anybody. Normally, teams try to avoid in-division trades, but that logic shouldn’t apply here. Clark is on a one-year deal, meaning he can only help the Chiefs for one season. Additionally, Clark is on the older side, and he’ll probably be past his prime by the time Denver is ready to compete again.
Jacksonville Jaguars
After a relatively slow start to the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars are starting to play up to their preseason expectations. Trevor Lawrence is looking like a top-10 quarterback and the team currently sits atop the AFC South with a 3-2 record. Right now, their biggest weakness is getting after the quarterback, as Josh Allen is the only real pass rushing threat on the roster. With Travon Walker not playing up to expectations, Frank Clark could be a savvy veteran trade target. While he’s not the player he once was, he can provide a reliable presence on third down.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are coming off a dominant shutout win over the once-great New England Patriots, but they could still use another pass rusher or two. The NFC South has been far more competitive than anyone believed at the start of the season, so the Saints will probably need to add another piece or two if they want to lock down a postseason birth. Derek Carr is starting to feel comfortable in his new home, Michael Thomas is staying healthy, and this team could make a decent playoff push if all these pieces continue to improve as the season progresses.
Detroit Lions
Don’t look now, but the Detroit Lions are currently 4-1 with a 1.5-game lead in the NFC North (pending Monday Night Football). For the first time in forever, this team is a legitimate contender, which means they should be looking for short-term rentals with postseason experience. Quite frankly, it’s hard to think of a better fit than Frank Clark, and that alone justifies a trade. Clark obviously knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl, seeing as he’s done it twice with Kansas City, and the Lions could use some more defensive reinforcements.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins might just have the most dangerous offense in football. This high-octane attack ensures that Miami will be a threat in every single game they play, but they need to improve their defense to ensure every game won’t just turn into a shootout. Frank Clark isn’t the type of guy that can singlehandedly salvage a defense, but he can provide a steadying presence in the front seven. Seeing as most teams will be throwing early and often to keep up with Miami’s offense, Clark should have plenty of opportunities to get after the quarterback with the Dolphins.
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