As trade speculation heats up, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) has identified another name to watch in advance of Tuesday’s deadline. According to Rapoport, Broncos cornerback Tony Carter is “generating interest” on the trade market.
Carter, 28, has seen his role reduced in Denver this season following the arrivals of free agent signee Aqib Talib and first-round pick Bradley Roby. Those two cornerbacks, along with Chris Harris, have shouldered the majority of the defensive snaps at the position for the Broncos, with Kayvon Webster contributing in dime packages during the last few games. As a result, Harris, who played 35 snaps in Week 1, has been relegated to the bench, having been listed as inactive for several contests.
As Rapoport observes, while Carter may not be in the Broncos’ plans at the moment, he should appeal to teams who have suffered injuries at cornerback or who are eyeing potential nickel backs. As Harris showed in 2012, when he grabbed two interceptions, recovered two fumbles, defended 12 passes, and recorded a +5.3 PFF grade (subscription required), he’s capable of holding his own in the secondary.
Carter is on a minimum salary contract with no bonus money, and will be eligible for free agency at season’s end, so he makes for an ideal trade candidate — he’s a low-risk target for a potential suitor, and anything the Broncos get for him would be a bonus, assuming they don’t intend to play him or re-sign him.
should trade him to the saints
Better yet trade him to the chargers!
Yeah, all this trade nonsense sounds good until you have an injury. Keep him…he’s costing near nothing. He’s just like your car insurance: you don’t think about it until you need it…and when you need it, you need it badly.