Super Bowl Contender Scrutinize Huge Trade for Broncos $26 Million Starter. The Denver Broncos have the NFL’s third-best scoring defense, and teams are paying attention as the trade deadline approaches. They also rank third in yards allowed, giving a solid foundation for their 4-3 record, especially as their offense—currently 21st in scoring and 27th in yards—works to improve.
As a result, the Broncos are hesitant to trade any crucial players from their defense. This includes starting nose tackle D.J. Jones, who has attracted interest from the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the November 5 deadline, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
However, the Broncos seem disinterested in the idea of trading him. Russini noted that while DeForest Buckner (Colts) and D.J. Jones have been discussed internally by team officials, it doesn’t appear that either the Colts or the Broncos are willing to part with these players.
#Broncos DT D.J. Jones (Outside RG) doesn't give up an inch on this double team from Joe Alt & Jamaree Salyer. Allows the LB to make the tackle at LOS pic.twitter.com/i7I8iX0OXz
— NFL Shock (@NFLShock) October 17, 2024
“With Javon Hargrave out for the season, the Niners are looking for help in the trenches, particularly in the form of a defensive tackle who can also enhance their pass rush,” Russini noted.
D.J. Jones, 29, was a sixth-round selection (No. 198 overall) by the 49ers in 2017.
Currently at 3-4, the 49ers sit at the bottom of the NFC West standings after representing the conference in the 2024 Super Bowl. They are among the favorites to reach the Super Bowl again in 2025, currently tied with the Buffalo Bills for the fourth-best odds as of October 27, according to DraftKings.
Broncos Have Potential Replacement for D.J. Jones
Jones spent the first five years of his career with the 49ers, contributing to their Super Bowl run after the 2021 season. During his last three seasons in San Francisco, the team’s defense ranked in the top 10 for points allowed twice and in the top five for yards allowed three times.
In 2022, he signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Broncos. For 2024, he has a base salary of $9.5 million and a cap hit of $12.9 million, with total career earnings of $26 million.
Trading him could prevent the Broncos from losing him without any compensation.
In his three seasons with Denver, Jones has recorded 96 combined tackles, forced three fumbles, and recovered two. He has had the second-highest snap share among Broncos defensive linemen entering Week 8, according to Pro Football Reference.
However, backup Malcolm Roach is close behind, trailing by just 0.42%. The Broncos might feel comfortable moving on since neither player exceeds 42% of the snaps.
Pro Football Focus has rated Roach higher than Jones through the first seven weeks of the 2024 season.
Broncos Can Save Cap Space With D.J. Jones Trade
The Broncos could trade Jones and save $9.9 million, according to Over The Cap, although they would face a $2.9 million dead cap hit. This move could allow them to bring in a player who would have a more significant role for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Currently, the Broncos have $5 million in cap space, according to Spotrac.
Trading Jones could also create enough financial flexibility for the Broncos to negotiate an extension with left tackle Garett Bolles. At 32, Bolles is in the final year of a four-year, $68 million deal. Despite his age, he has remained durable throughout his career and is the highest-graded offensive player for the Broncos through seven games in 2024—crucial attributes for a quarterback’s blind-side protector.
Additionally, there are concerns about the depth of the 2025 offensive tackle class.
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