Christian Petersen/Getty Images If the Denver Broncos start looking toward the future, wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas figure to attract attention in trade talks. Per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, there were "strong rumblings" from people around the NFL about at least one of Denver's receivers being on the trade block. Later, Mike Klis of 9News noted linebacker Brandon Marshall is also a target for teams at the deadline. Sanders, in particular, is generating interest from several teams prior to the Oct. 30 trade deadline because of his favorable contract and high level of production. Sanders has been one of the Broncos' few bright spots in 2018. He is tied for fourth in the NFL with 46 receptions and is alone in fourth place among all receivers with 603 yards. The two-time Pro Bowler is signed through next season with a $12.9 million cap hit for 2019. Thomas, meanwhile, is averaging a career-low 11.3 yards per reception this season, though his three touchdown receptions are tied with Sanders for most on the team. His contract also runs through 2019, but it includes a $17.5 million cap hit in 2019. Quarterback Case Keenum hasn't provided the spark on offense Denver was hoping for when he signed a two-year deal in the offseason. The 30-year-old leads the NFL with nine interceptions and has thrown just eight touchdowns. Even coming off their most impressive win of the season, a 45-10 rout of the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, the 3-4 Broncos are in third place in the AFC West. Video Play Button Videos you might like Contract info via Spotrac.<doc-sep>The Patriots have been discussing possibly trading for 30-year-old Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, according to NFL Network’s Michael Giardi. As Giardi noted on Twitter, Thomas was drafted by New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis reported last week that Denver would listen to offers for Thomas leading up to Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. “That’s a good thing if somebody is interested in me and I can still play ball,” Thomas said of trade rumors last week. “I still have a chance if I get traded. Of course, I want to be here but, you know.” The Broncos’ willingness to deal Thomas may depend on Sunday’s results against the Chiefs. With a win, Denver would improve to 4-4. A loss would drop the team to 3-5, essentially sealing a lost season. The Broncos may view Thomas as an expendable player after selecting Courtland Sutton in the second round of this year’s NFL draft. Denver also has Emmanuel Sanders, DaeSean Hamilton and Tim Patrick at receiver. If Thomas is traded to New England, he would join a receiver room that already includes Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon and Chris Hogan. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion, Thomas owns 662 career receptions for 9,025 yards and 60 touchdowns.<doc-sep>Demaryius Thomas said the reports of a possible trade shouldn't have gotten out. Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas shrugged off trade rumors, saying, "At the end of the day I’ll have a job," according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. There have been reports that the Broncos are "listening to offers" for the four-time Pro Bowler prior to the Oct. 30 trade deadline. Denver lost 30–23 to the Chiefs on Sunday, with Thomas tallying three receptions for 30 yards in the defeat. Thomas did say, though, that the reports shouldn't have gotten out. "I think it should have never gotten out, to tell you the truth," he said. "I wouldn’t have been thinking about it. Nobody would be talking about it." Thomas added no one from the Broncos organization has talked to him about the trade rumors, and that he's only heard from his agent. Thomas was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He has recorded 33 catches and three touchdowns this season. He has crossed the 1,000-yard mark five times in his career, peaking with 111 receptions for 1,619 yards in 2014. The Broncos are 3–5 on the season, and will face the Texans next Sunday.<doc-sep>
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images The New England Patriots have considered making a trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, NFL Network's Michael Giardi reported Sunday. Giardi added the Patriots "have been active on the trade front for weeks" and aren't limiting themselves to the receiver position ahead of Tuesday's deadline: The Patriots already made one midseason move to bolster their receiving corps when they acquired Josh Gordon from the Cleveland Browns. Adding Thomas would be a nice complement to that trade. Gordon has been a great downfield threat for New England, averaging 17.2 yards per catch. His usage has been a little more limited, though. According to Pro Football Reference, 14 of Gordon's 25 targets have come with 10 or more yards to go for a first down. Thomas would give Tom Brady a proven target on shorter throws. Through seven games, the 30-year-old has 33 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns. While Thomas' 11.3 yards per reception are on pace to be a career low, New England wouldn't need him to be a consistent vertical threat as long as Gordon is healthy. Thomas' contract may look unwieldy at first but would offer some flexibility to the Patriots or any other team that acquired him. He counts for $17.5 million against the salary cap in 2019, but cutting him before June 1 would mean saving $14 million, with the remaining $3.5 million staying on the books as dead money, per Over the Cap. Video Play Button Videos you might like The Patriots would have the second half of this season to determine whether keeping Thomas around for next year would be worth it.