By: Adamo Marinelli
October 31st, 2018
Yesterday, on the trade deadline, the Denver Broncos traded wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the Houston Texans for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Both teams also exchanged seventh-round picks in 2019.
Thomas, 30, the longest-tenured Bronco in franchise history had two years left on his contract and was guaranteed $14 million next season in 2019. That is part of the reason the Broncos traded him.
Thomas was without a doubt a very talented wide receiver who has had plenty of success in Denver; his best moment was arguably the 80-yard walk-off touchdown catch from Tim Tebow in the 2011 AFC wildcard playoff game against the Steelers. However, he’s had many other amazing moments in a Broncos’ uniform.
Thomas was an amazing receiver, but with his age increasing and a large salary due to him in the 2019 season, the Broncos decided to send him to the Texans for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft. Besides, with the emergence of rookie receivers in Courtland Sutton, Daesean Hamilton and Tim Patrick as well as a talented young rookie running back duo in Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman and a strong tight end core including Jeff Heuerman and Matt Lacosse, the Broncos’ offence will still be pretty good with QB Case Keenum and veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders at the helm.
The Broncos could have probably gotten a first round pick for Thomas, but considering the Texans are absorbing his $14 million cap hit, a fourth-round pick is fair.
With the extra cap space, the Broncos can invest in an area of need, whether it be in the secondary, or for a long-term QB after Keenum.
You can watch Demaryius Thomas’ first game after leaving the Broncos…on Sunday, November 4th, 2018, against Denver in the Mile High City.
