If Deion Branch Gets Cut, Reunion With McDaniels in Denver Possible

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Reports from the Tacoma News Tribune indicate that wide receiver Deion Branch, a big trade acquisition of the Seattle Seahawks a couple of years ago, could be "on the bubble."

The Seahawks' starting wide receivers would be Nate Burleson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh if the season started today, with Branch lining up as the third receiver.

Here is the official report:

"So far, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and Deon Butler are likely in, with Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu and Jordan Kent fighting for the last couple of spots.

Or perhaps Branch could be on his way out.

The veteran will make $5 million this season to be Seattle’s third receiver and the Seahawks have a lot of depth at the position. So they may live with five receivers and let Branch go to keep a player at a different position."

So would the Seahawks cut Branch?

Based on the report, Seattle is content with Deon Butler moving forward as the team's third receiver.  He is a much cheaper option than Branch, and shedding his large contract would be lovely cap relief heading into the season.

If the Seahawks cut Branch, it would not be a shock to see him wind up in Denver under his former offensive coordinator and now Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels.

With a recent injury to Jabar Gaffney and reports the team is quietly shopping Brandon Marshall, there is suddenly an opening for a starting wide receiver spot.

That could intrigue Branch, especially if he could return to an offense he has some familiarity with.

Branch would allow veteran Brandon Stokley to remain in the slot, and when Gaffney returns from his thumb injury, the Broncos could have one of the deepest receiving groups in the league, even if they do trade Marshall.

This is all purely speculation, and there is no guarantee the Seahawks will rid of Branch. 

Even if they do not, and the Broncos maintain their current group, they still have arguably the most talented, deep unit in the NFL.

A mentally stable Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Stokley, Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Chad Jackson, and impressive rookie Kenny McKinley give the Broncos a very deep group of players to get the ball to.

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