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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos traded one of their 4th round picks for veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye. It is expected to be pick 137, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the Emmanuel Sanders trade.
The Broncos and Jaguars have agreed on a trade that would send cornerback A.J. Bouye to Denver for a 2020 fourth-round pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2020
The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins March 18th.
After signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017, Bouye made his first and only Pro Bowl. Since then he has had a tumultous couple of seasons. With the Jags tight against the cap and hoping to use the franchise tag on Yannick Ngakoue, they needed breathing room. According to Over the Cap he should count for $13.5 million against the Broncos’ cap in 2020.
According to Sports Info Solutions, A.J. Bouye allowed 9.8 yards per pass last season, good for 172nd in the NFL.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) March 3, 2020
KOA’s Benjamin Allbright reported that the trade will take the Broncos out of the running for the premier cornerbacks in free agency. They still could look to re-sign De’Vante Bausby and reunite Vic Fangio with former Bear Prince Amukamara.
NFL Free Agent Profile: Cornerback Prince Amukamara - Mile High Report
Bouye trade takes Broncos out of Byron Jones scrum.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) March 3, 2020
While rumors have been circulating for weeks that the Broncos would explore a trade for Darius Slay or Byron Jones, word from Dove Valley is Bouye was the target all along. He is seen by Elway and the Broncos’ coaching staff as an ideal fit for Vic Fangio’s defense.
More AJ Bouye to me just now: "I'm definitely excited because Chris Harris always had good things to say about Denver. I'm about to watch film & look at their scheme some more and really study it. It's CB friendly. The 3 times I played there the atmosphere & fanbase was amazing."
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 3, 2020
The trade all but ensures that Chris Harris Jr. has played his last snap in orange and blue.
lol They might have to see me now #StrapHarris
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) March 3, 2020
One of the interesting aspects with this trade is that it looks like the Broncos did not plan to meet Chris Harris’ market value, so Elway made a trade to acquire Bouye. So long as Fangio and the coaching staff are right and he can fit into the system, they could come out of this looking really smart. The trade and subsequent loss of Harris could essentially mean trading a 4th round pick in 2020 for a 3rd round pick in 2021 so long as Harris’ new deal nets them a compensatory selection.
I would also imagine that if the Broncos are taking on a $13.5M APY contract, they have high confidence that Chris Harris, Jr. will be getting more than that on the open market.
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 3, 2020
It's highly like Harris's loss would be valued as a 3rd round compensatory pick if that happens.
This story is developing and we will update as we find out more.