NFL Trade Rumors: Raiders, Broncos Trying To Deal Players As Chiefs, Chargers Battle For AFC West

It’s a two-team race in the AFC West with the first-place Kansas City Chiefs and the second-place Los Angeles Chargers battling to win the division. The Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders aren’t going anywhere in the 2018 NFL season, and it’s turned them into sellers at the trade deadline.

Both teams appear likely to make at least one move by 4 p.m. EDT Tuesday. The Raiders have already made a few trades this season, and they are looking to obtain more draft picks for veterans on their roster. The Broncos have one veteran that several teams might be interested in adding.

Demaryius Thomas has been in more trade rumors than just about anyone over the last six months. It was thought that he might be dealt in the offseason, but Denver held onto him with hopes that he could be part of a playoff team. Following the Broncos’ loss to the Chiefs in Week 8, it’s clear that Denver won’t win the division, and a wild-card run doesn’t seem to be in the cards.

Thomas has become more expendable with the emergence of rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who’s been nearly as productive as Thomas this season. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport believes the odds of Thomas being dealt are greater than 50-50.

The New England Patriots are a possible destination as they look for help at wide receiver. The Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans also want receiver help, according to Rapoport.

Denver is 3-5 and does still have a chance to finish near .500. That ship has sailed for Oakland, who is one of three NFL teams with just one victory. The Raiders have already acquired three first-round draft picks for Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper over the last two months, and another one of their top players could be wearing a new uniform in Week 9.

The Raiders are shopping Bruce Irvin, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, hoping to acquire a late-round pick for the defensive end. Irvin has three sacks this season after totaling 15 sacks with Oakland in 2016 and 2017.

Cornerback Rashaan Melvin is also available, according to Pelissero. Melvin hasn’t played particularly well this season as part of one of the NFL’s worst passing defenses.

Oakland won’t entertain trade offers for Derek Carr. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the team told Carr he will be their quarterback for the foreseeable future.