The Broncos are chasing help at tight end, and Sam LaPorta has surfaced as a name to watch.
Denver is reportedly interested in the Lions standout, according to a report from Nikhil Mehta of ProFootballRumors.com, after LaPorta and Detroit hit a negotiating impasse. Mehta said LaPorta went public with his frustrations over the talks, and the timing only adds to the intrigue: the 2023 second-round pick is putting together a career year with 5.4 receptions and 63.2 yards per game. Those numbers rank seventh and fifth among tight ends, respectively.
That kind of production would fit right into what Denver is trying to fix. The Broncos offense has been stuck in the mud this season, and even last year it was inconsistent for long stretches. Denver did swing a deal for receiver Jaylen Waddle, but he hasn’t delivered the spark the team wanted - the kind of threat who stretches the field, creates room for others, and makes big plays himself.
LaPorta would check that box. Broncos coach Sean Payton has long wanted a move tight end who can handle the joker role in his offense, and that was supposed to be Evan Engram. Instead, Engram has managed just 12 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.
If Denver could land LaPorta, it could also help with Bo Nix, who has been borderline inept lately. The Broncos have been working with Nix for weeks in an effort to get him back on track, but nothing has worked so far.
The Panthers are also in the mix, according to Mehta. Carolina has been leaning on Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans, a pair of late-round picks that hasn’t exactly inspired confidence, and the team has reportedly been looking to upgrade the supporting cast around Bryce Young.
A deal won’t be easy, though. Detroit is 3-2, last in the NFC North but still in the playoff hunt, and Denver doesn’t have much draft capital left after sending most of it to get Waddle.
There are also questions about LaPorta’s injury history. Still, the idea of Denver pursuing him says plenty about Payton’s approach. When he decides he wants to make a splash, patience usually isn’t part of the plan, and the Broncos are sitting at 4-2 in a season that was expected to put them back in championship contention.
In Other News...
Broncos Trade Deadline Call May Come Down To These Next 3 Games
With three games left before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline, the Broncos are still sorting out whether their roster needs justify a real swing or whether the group in place can keep growing into the season. The biggest questions sit on offense, where running back and the interior line remain the spots most likely to get extra attention as Denver weighs how aggressive to be.
The next three weeks will go a long way toward shaping that decision, especially after a stretch of difficult opponents that has made it harder to separate temporary issues from more lasting ones. If the Broncos keep trending upward, patience could win out. If the offense stalls again, the front office may have to decide whether to stay the course or chase help at a position where the market could get interesting. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Head To Arizona With AFC West Pressure Already Rising
The Broncos head to Arizona with more than just another road game in front of them. Denvers current run has tightened the margins in the AFC West and added some extra weight to a matchup that also carries a chance to keep the teams winning streak over the Cardinals intact. With the playoff picture and division pressure both in play, this is the kind of game that can quietly shape the rest of the season.
There is also a little individual history hanging over Sunday, with several Broncos sitting near career or franchise milestones heading into the matchup. The defense has been the bigger storyline lately, too, and its recent production has put Denver in range of a notable team feat if it can keep bringing the heat against Arizona. In a race this crowded, even the small milestones can end up saying a lot about where a team is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Secondary Suddenly Has A Good Problem At Corner
Patrick Surtain II was back on the practice field this week, giving Denver a timely boost as it starts sorting through its cornerback plans for Arizona. He is still listed as questionable for the upcoming game, while Riley Moss has been cleared to return to the starting lineup after working back from a rib injury, adding another layer to a secondary that has handled the recent stretch well.
The encouraging part for the Broncos is that they are not scrambling for answers. Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine have helped the group hold up in recent weeks, which gives the coaching staff some flexibility if it wants to be careful with Surtain. With Kansas City looming after this one, Denver may decide there is value in letting its top corner wait another week before returning. [Read more 🡒]