DENVER — Who's next? That's the question on Denver Broncos fans' minds as the team spirals toward its seventh-consecutive losing season.
Pass rusher Randy Gregory was nearly cut then traded to the San Francisco 49ers less than two years into a $70 million contract.
Recent free agent acquisition Frank Clark is also out after playing two games for a Broncos defense that has seemingly allowed opponents to score at will.
One important thing to note, the NFL's trade deadline is 4 p.m. Oct. 31.
Here's who could be next on the chopping block as the first-year ownership group led by Greg Penner and first-year head coach Sean Payton appear ready to clean house:
Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton
The most prominent trade rumors have focused on the Broncos starting wide receivers.
Jeudy, who has shown flashes of brilliance that made him a first-round pick out of Alabama in 2020 but has never consistently produced, has seemingly drawn more interest between the two.
The Broncos picked up his fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through next season before he's scheduled to hit free agency.
However, NFL analyst Steve Smith Sr. said before Thursday's game against the Chiefs that he would not recommend teams trade for Jeudy.
Sutton could also appeal to teams because of his cost-effective contract. He's in the second of a four-year, $60 million deal.
Sutton is also having his best season since his second year in 2019 when he burst on the scene. He tore his ACL early into the 2020 season, which has limited his production in recent years, along with inconsistent quarterback play.
Justin Simmons
Simmons is in the second of a four-year, $61 million deal that made him the NFL's highest-paid safety at the time. While he's missed some time this season due to injury, he'd likely be a desirable piece many contenders would like to add to their defense.
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson has rebounded from a disastrous season last year and is far from the 1-5 Broncos' biggest problem; however, there's no telling how much longer the 34-year-old quarterback will be a starting-level quarterback.
With the Broncos facing a long rebuild, Wilson is likely not in the team's long-term plans.
Wilson's massive five-year, $245 million extension he signed a few years ago doesn't even begin until next season, and the Broncos could welcome the chance to unload his contract.
Josey Jewell
The inside linebacker just signed a two-year deal worth $11 million and could draw interest from teams looking for a solid, veteran presence in the middle of their defense.
Garrett Bolles
The left tackle has rebounded from a broken leg last season to play in every game so far this year.
Bolles is in the third of a four-year, $68 million contact and could draw interest from teams looking to shore up their offensive lines.
Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine
While there's no reason to expect either running back will draw a worthwhile return at a position that has been devalued by the NFL, both have value.
Williams has recovered well from a massive knee injury last season, and the second-year pro is still considered among the top young talents at the position.
Meanwhile, Perine signed a two-year deal for a reasonable $7.5 million. He performed well in relief of Joe Mixon for the Cincinnati Bengals last season and could draw interest from teams looking for a reliable, veteran presence at the position.
Patrick Surtain II
The third-year pro is considered by many to be the Broncos' best player and one of the best defensive backs in the league.
While that means he could be a valuable building block in a rebuild, it also means he could draw a king's ransom in a trade.
The most recent comparable trade is Jalen Ramsey's from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019.
Ramsey, who at the time was also considered one of the best defensive backs in the league, commanded two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick before signing a five-year contract worth $105 million. At the time, his contract was the highest-paying deal for a cornerback in NFL history.
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