The Denver Broncos recently opened training camp in preparation for the 2024 NFL season, and the full evaluation of the roster is underway. Of course, players from other teams around the league have to always be considered as well.
In discussing one trade that every NFL team should still make, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes the team still needs to add another cornerback opposite Pat Surtain II. As Ballentine points out, if the cornerbacks on the other side of the field are Levi Wallace, Riley Moss or Damarri Mathis, it's not hard for an opponent to stay away from Surtain and attack one side of the field.
But Eric Stokes of the Green Bay Packers could give them other ideas. Stokes, a first-round pick out of Georgia in 2021, would be a big upgrade over what the Broncos currently have, at least on paper.
Broncos send a 2025 fourth-round pick to Green Bay for Eric Stokes
The Broncos also get a sixth-round choice in the deal. This could be one of those low-risk, high-reward deals. but Stokes comes with some warning signs as well. Injuries have limited him to just 11 starts across the last two seasons, which could be what would help entice the Packers to deal him. But if that were the case, it could be because the Packers know he's not the player he once was.
Eric Stokes made it very clear in the locker room today that he wants the #Packers to be known for their defense and not their offense. pic.twitter.com/ruDe1dBGJk
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) July 24, 2024
A trade like this is a difficult one to make, as you're paying for a player who once had a high ceiling and lofty draft status but has failed to show it in the NFL. The Broncos signed Wallace in free agency and while he is 29 years old and gave up six touchdowns last season, the team might be much more inclined to just roll the dice with him.
It's not a terrible trade idea and if it were made, it would be nothing to get ruffled feathers over, but it would be just as likely to be a flop as it would a hit.
