The Denver Broncos are currently 1-2, but it’s hard to envision a world where they’re not selling veterans like D.J. Jones at the trade deadline. After taking on a record amount of dead money while releasing Russell Wilson, Sean Payton and company effectively embraced a one-year rebuild. While first-round pick Bo Nix showed promise in Week 3’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he’s not ready to lead this team to an upset playoff birth. With this in mind, Denver could try and deal players like Jones on expiring contracts.
D.J. Jones is no superstar, but the defensive tackle could fetch something in a trade. As noted by ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Jones will turn 30 in January and likely isn’t in Denver’s long-term plans. He could, however, help a team looking to bolster their defensive line. While every team in the league could use another pass rusher, the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Carolina Panthers stand out as the most likely destinations.
Ravens, Chiefs, Panthers Likely D.J. Jones Trade Destinations
The Contenders
Despite their 1-2 record, the Baltimore Ravens should still make the playoffs. Lamar Jackson is still under center, the defense has plenty of talent, and John Harbaugh remains one of the NFL’s better coaches, even if Jackson can get frustrated with him. While the roster can make the playoffs, they’ll need additional playmakers to make it to the Super Bowl. The Ravens lost several key veterans in free agency and couldn’t adequately replace all of them. D.J. Jones won’t singlehandedly win a championship for this team, but the trade candidate could fill a valuable spot along the defensive line.
Nnamdi Madubuike remains one of the game’s better interior defensive linemen, but you can never have too many players getting after the quarterback. Baltimore has long believed in getting by with a variety of dangerous pass rushers, and there’s no reason to change that thinking now. Kyle Van Noy continues to defy age with four sacks through three games and Odafe Oweh is starting to play like a first-rounder, but Baltimore’s defensive tackles have not gotten after the quarterback. D.J. Jones could thrive as a situational pass rusher, and the trade target likely won’t cost too much, seeing as his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are in a similar boat. Chris Jones isn’t slowing down, but he and the rest of Kansas City’s defense have combined for just six sacks in three games. With the offense struggling (by Kansas City’s standards), the Chiefs could use another pass rusher to power this team to their third Super Bowl in as many years. The only question is whether the Broncos would agree to a D.J. Jones trade with their division rivals, but the Broncos could make an exception if Kansas City outbids the competition.
The Surprise Team
Nobody thinks the Carolina Panthers are contenders, so why should they consider a D.J. Jones trade? While they almost certainly won’t win the Super Bowl, they could still benefit from this move, assuming they wouldn’t have to give up anything more than a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Bryce Young was the problem in Carolina, as Andy Dalton made this team look competitive during Week 3’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. If this wasn’t a one-week fluke, Dalton could lead this team to the top of a weak NFC South.
While the Panthers will almost certainly go one-and-done in the playoffs, getting to the postseason could do remarkable things for the team’s morale and overall outlook. Carolina needs more pass rushers, and Jones could help guide an unlikely postseason birth with a new organization.
Main Photo: Joe Nicholson – USA Today Sports
