Demaryius Thomas Trade Rumors: Broncos Could Deal WR Amid Team's Struggles

The Denver Broncos have had "a lot of conversations" regarding wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on the trade market, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Per that report, Thomas himself believes there is a 50-50 chance he is dealt before Tuesday's deadline.

With Emmanuel Sanders (50 receptions for 660 yards and three touchdowns) and Courtland Sutton (17 receptions for 324 yards and two scores) available at wideout, Thomas is potentially expendable.

While the 30-year-old is having a solid enough season, catching 36 passes for 402 yards and three scores, he isn't Case Keenum's top option—that distinction belongs to Sanders—and it's likely the Broncos will turn to Sutton in the future to take over Thomas' role in the offense.

With the Broncos now sitting at 3-5, four games behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West—the Chiefs also hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series—the team's playoff chances are on life support. Moving a veteran like Thomas for draft picks would be a logical move.

Regardless of what happens, Thomas will likely be relieved once there is resolution. He hasn't enjoyed the trade rumors, as he told Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com:

"How would you feel at your job [if] your boss, whoever, said they wanted you someplace else? And you come into work every day and have to think about it? How would you feel? But I had to do it for my team, like it was normal, act like it was normal. It just kept coming up, from left and right … I had to think about it … It'll be interesting to see what happens in next couple days."

Indeed it will be. Given Denver's dwindling playoff hopes, however, it won't be surprising if Thomas is wearing a new uniform after Tuesday afternoon's trade deadline.