The Denver Broncos could be open to exploring trade options at the deadline, according to head coach Sean Payton. And while Payton said that he did not have that on his mind after Week 6, a deal for Demario Davis would not take much planning.
Davis is a two-time Pro Bowler, was a First Team All-Pro in 2019, and has four Second Team selections to his credit.
He also played under Payton on the New Orleans Saints from 2018 through 2021.
Heavy Sports Trade Proposal Sends Demario Davis From Saints to Broncos
GettyDemario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after making a tackle against the New England Patriots.
Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker listed the Broncos among the “possible fits” for seven players as the trade deadline approaches. Of those, three were linebackers, with Davis joining Jordyn Brooks and Jamal Adams.
This Heavy Sports trade proposal aims to reunite Davis and Payton in Denver, helping to solve a key issue for the Broncos.
Broncos get:
- Demario Davis
Saints get:
- 2026 fourth-round draft pick (via NOR)
Davis could be a fit with the Broncos for many reasons, including being the best value at LB.
Adams is a converted safety and, more importantly, a member of the Broncos’ AFC West rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, making him an unlikely target. Brooks is younger than Davis, but also more expensive and could appeal to a wider range of suitors (i.e, a bidding war) than Davis.
Davis’ familiarity with Payton could also help the Broncos and the Saints reach an agreement before the deadline, with New Orleans 1-5 on the season.
Broncos Named Fitting Trade Deadline Destination for Demario Davis
GettyDemario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints reacts while playing against the Arizona Cardinals.
Locker’s other potential fits for the Broncos before the trade deadline include Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, tight ends Chig Okonkwo of the Tennessee Titans, David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns, and Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens.
However, linebacker is an underlying need for the NFL’s No. 2-ranked defense in Denver.
Davis is on an expiring two-year, $17.5 million contract, and he has earned $71.8 million in his 13-plus-season career. He has a $6.9 million cap hit this season.
“Davis has remained one of the league’s ageless wonders in 2025. Even at age 36, his 81.2 overall PFF grade ranks eighth among qualified linebackers. Although keeping up in coverage has proven a bit more of a liability, Davis is still a tremendous run defender, evidenced by his 90.5 PFF run-defense grade and 19 stops,” Locker wrote on October 13.
“Even though the Saints have gone 22-35 over the last four years, they haven’t shown a willingness to part with veterans like Davis. Perhaps that will finally change with Davis in the last season of a two-year extension.”
Davis is on the Saints’ books for $14.3 million in 2026 due to a void year, complicating matters.
The trade deadline is on November 4 this year, giving the Broncos three games to decide if they want to pursue a target such as Davis or another position before the offseason.
Broncos’ LB Under Scrutiny Amid Dre Greenlaw’s Absence
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Los Angeles Rams.
According to Locker in his excerpt about Brooks, “look for the Broncos — who are 24th in PFF coverage grade at linebacker this year — to potentially add a player up the middle, especially with Dre Greenlaw yet to play.”
Greenlaw signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Broncos in free agency as part of a vaunted haul.
He is on injured reserve without a clear timetable for his return.
“Greenlaw, a stalwart the past six seasons with San Francisco, has yet to play this season due to a quad injury,” The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson wrote on October 13. “He is now eligible to come off injured reserve, but it remains uncertain when he will return.”
Without Greenlaw, Alex Singleton has been exposed in coverage, ranking 20th among all linebackers with at least 190 coverage snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Greenlaw’s fill-in, Justin Strnad, has been better than Singleton but still well below average.
Davis ranks eighth among that group. Greenlaw’s return should solve a lot of what ails the Broncos’ linebackers in coverage. But he has a history of injuries. Davis, who has missed two games in his career, could prove a wise trade investment for the Broncos regardless.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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