The Broncos were willing to spend big to land Joe Thomas from the Browns. But two rounds worth of draft position kept the deal from happening.
According to Mike Klis of KUSA, the deal between the teams for the Pro Bowl left tackle fell apart at the deadline because they reached an impasse in terms of draft pick compensation.
The Broncos were offering their 2017 first-rounder and their 2016 second to the Browns, but wanted Thomas and a 2016 third-rounder in exchange. The Browns came as close as offering Thomas and their 2016 fifth-rounder, but wouldn’t come any closer.
To be fair, the difference in draft position between a Browns third and a Broncos second won’t be that large this year. But that future first would be useful to most teams in Cleveland’s position, assuming they use them more effectively than the Browns have used first-rounders lately.
Of course, that the Broncos were willing to offer a 2017 first rather than next year’s is also significant, as it points to their all-in stance this year, and not knowing whether quarterback Peyton Manning has anything left beyond this season.
After losing left tackle Ryan Clady and rookie replacement Ty Sambrailo to injuries, the positional need was obvious, as the Broncos are now going to have to make their run with veterans Ryan Harris and Tyler Polumbus at left tackle and Michael Schofield at right tackle.