Broncos Trade Pitch Sends Cardinals Pro-Bowl Running Back to Denver
The Denver Broncos went into the 2025 offseason with clear needs. After a busy free agency, there are still needs on offense. One of those needs is at running back, and this trade pitch looks to fill that need.
For this mock trade, the Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals make a deal, sending star running back James Conner to Denver. In a trade for Conner, the Broncos likely won't have to give up too much for him, as Conner is about to be 30 years old.
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Denver has Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin on the roster, but neither has shown enough to be lead-backs in the NFL. Conner would come in and take over the majority of the workload, with Estime and McLaughlin spelling him.
Conner is under contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons and would be able to help Bo Nix by giving him a Pro Bowl running back with plenty of starting experience.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs with the ball against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2025 NFL Draft has a lot of great running backs, and Denver could go one as early as the first round. But, adding Conner would allow the Broncos to be flexible on draft night.
Denver could still go for a running back early, but Conner would allow the Broncos not to feel forced into taking one if there is another player on the board they want.
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The flexibility in the draft is good business, as the Broncos wouldn't be pressured into taking a player earlier than they should go.
This trade pitch of Conner heading to the Broncos is a great move for Denver. Adding a Conner makes a lot of sense for all parties involved. Getting help for Nix is important, and Conner would be a quarterback friendly addition to the offense for the next two seasons.
Related: Patrick Surtain Drops 12-Word Message on Broncos' Bo Nix
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