Broncos veterans are coming up in trades talks, as Sean Payton is set to move on from Tim Patrick and Samaje Perine. Another position group has attracted some interest as well.
The team went through a cornerback competition in training camp — to see who would start on the boundary opposite Patrick Surtain. This battle would not have been necessary had Damarri Mathis, who started for most of 2022 in place of an injured Ronald Darby, held onto the job last season. But Vance Joseph benched the 2022 fourth-rounder, leading to a competition forming this offseason.
Denver, which did not re-sign primary 2023 CB2 starter Fabian Moreau, has nevertheless received trade calls on Mathis, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. It does not look like the third-year corner is going anywhere, however. The Broncos are planning to keep the Pittsburgh alum, per Fowler, with an injury intervening as well. Mathis sustained a high ankle sprain against the Cardinals on Sunday, 9News’ Mike Klis adds.
Mathis was set to make Denver’s 53-man roster, Klis adds, though this would have come as a backup. Riley Moss has primarily worked as the Broncos’ starter as of late; the 2023 third-rounder had been viewed as the frontrunner going into camp. Denver also signed ex-Bills and Steelers starter Levi Wallace as veteran insurance. He is expected to make the 53-man roster, with fifth-round rookie Kris Abrams-Draine also set to earn a spot.
The Broncos had Darby in place as their primary Surtain complementary piece in 2022, but a season-ending injury led to Mathis making 11 starts that season. After Mathis had held his own under Ejiro Evero in 2022, Denver benched Mathis six games into last season. Pro Football Focus rated the 5-foot-11 defender as the league’s second-worst CB regular in 2023, though teams still appeared curious about his potential. Two years remain on Mathis’ rookie deal.
As of now, the Broncos are likely to roll out a Surtain-Moss-Ja’Quan McMillian trio at corner. It remains to be seen if the team will carry Mathis onto its 53-man roster or use one of its two early IR-return slots. If the Broncos place Mathis on IR before finalizing their 53-man roster, they would lose one of their eight IR activations before the season starts.
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