The Broncos made moves to strengthen their defense ahead of the NFL trade deadline Tuesday afternoon.
Denver traded within the division for Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, the team announced Tuesday.
The deal is complete in principle, pending a medical for Henley, which will take place on Wednesday.
The trade, made in the final hour before the NFL trade deadline, comes at a time that isn’t necessarily Broncos-related, but can certainly be seen as a need.
10 things to know about new Broncos linebacker Daiyan Henley
Denver spent the period leading up to the deadline making calls on various positions, including tight end, safety and running back, multiple sources said in recent days, but ultimately the only deal the club made at the deadline was to bolster depth in the middle of the defense.
“I like this team. We have room to get better, but I like this team a lot,” head coach Sean Payton said Sunday after the Broncos won their fifth straight game to arrive at their bye week 7-2 and atop the AFC West. “We just have to take advantage of the position we’re in right now.”
Henley, a former 2023 third-round pick, is in the final year of his rookie contract. He is known as a coverage-heavy linebacker, moving from safety and wide receiver to linebacker in college. He had 51 tackles, one interception and two tackles for loss with the Chargers this season.
Daiyan Henley to Broncos: Here’s how national NFL media rated the trade
The Broncos have received solid play from their starting linebacker pair of Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad so far this season, with Singleton leading the NFL in tackles and Strnad by some measures ranking among the best coverage linebackers in football.
Behind them, however, Denver has several young and untested options, which means question marks. Jordan Turner and Karene Reid are regulars on special teams this year, with Turner recording 74% of snaps in the third phase and Reid not far behind at 57.4%. However, they combined to play just three defensive snaps, which left the Broncos exposed to considerable uncertainty if Singleton or Strnad missed at any time during the second half of the season.
The Broncos certainly benefited from having three experienced inside linebackers on their roster in 2025 when Singleton and Strnad were joined by Dre Greenlaw. Strnad played extensively early in the year when Greenlaw was out and then again down the stretch, while Singleton also missed a game following a testicular cancer diagnosis midway through the season.
The Broncos haven’t needed to pass Singleton and Strnad this year, but Singleton has played more defensive snaps than any player in the NFL in the first half of the season, and Strnad has played 82% of defensive snaps, which is a pace that would shatter his previous career high of 59% in 2024. Additionally, Denver has already seen its depth tested at every other defensive position this season.
Henley, who turns 27 next week, has been a consistent producer since being drafted 85th overall in 2023. After appearing in 15 games, mostly on special teams, as a rookie, he started 41 of a possible 42 games over the past three seasons. He had 147 tackles (7 for loss) and one sack in 2024, then 103 tackles (5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks last year. Henley played 91% of snaps in 2024, 97% last year and was at 87% this year for the Chargers before the trade.
Henley is in the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, meaning he is expected to become a free agent in the spring. His cap hit hits $1.84 million for the remainder of the season, putting him within Denver’s cap space of just under $5 million entering today.
The acquisition cost was considerable for Henley, although there are some extenuating circumstances to consider. The Broncos are in line to secure an additional 2027 fourth-round pick as a compensatory selection after losing John Franklin-Myers to free agency this spring.
Henley could end up being an extension candidate for the Broncos after the season, but if he ends up leaving via free agency, then he will count toward the Broncos’ compensatory pick formula for the 2028 draft. So in that regard, either he’s part of Denver’s long-term plan or he could end up helping reduce the price the Broncos paid to acquire him. Denver, too, will end up with a fourth-rounder in next spring’s draft, it will simply be a competitive pick rather than its own selection.
Broncos waive CB Fresch
In order to make room for Henley on the 53-man roster, Denver waived cornerback Sean Fresch, Jr. on Tuesday.
Fresch, a talented returner, was placed on the active roster Saturday after appearing in three practice squad games earlier in the season. He returned the kickoff against Carolina to the 44-yard line.
Denver appears to want Fresch back assuming he clears waivers on Wednesday. The club released veteran corner Ugo Amadi from its practice squad on Tuesday, meaning there is room for Fresch assuming he isn’t claimed by another team.
Want more Broncos news? Subscribe to the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
Gn sports
