Following his participation in the Broncos’ Top 100 player ceremony on Oct. 11, general manager John Elway was asked about the potential for dealing veterans like outside linebacker Von Miller, receiver Emmanuel Sanders and cornerback Chris Harris.

Elway would have none of it despite one win over the season’s first month.

“(The media) bring all those names up; I have not brought any names up,” he said. “We’re trying to win football games and no one from our end is on the trading block.”

The Broncos moved to 2-4 with a 16-0 win over the Tennessee Titans, confirming Elway’s confidence a turnaround was possible and standing pat was the best course.

Amazing how much the tone can change in only a week, though.

The Broncos were handled 30-6 by the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. What those in attendance and 14.4 million watching on television saw was a flawed team that will be the underdog in at least six of their final nine games and should consider moves before the Oct. 29 trade deadline.

So what have we learned about the Broncos during their first seven games, besides the realization the team is careening toward a fourth consecutive year out of the playoffs? Here are five takeaways:

1. Options are limited

Help is not on the way. The players in-house need to perform better.

Change up the offensive line? Turning over left tackle to Elijah Wilkinson (replacing 2017 first-round pick Garett Bolles) is a nice thought. But Ja’Wuan James sustained a knee injury in Week 1 and Wilkinson has made six consecutive starts at right tackle, occasionally struggling.

Switch the quarterback? Joe Flacco has been average (86.3 rating, six touchdowns and five interceptions) and coach Vic Fangio nixed that on Friday. But it would make sense to see Drew Lock in December.

Alter the defensive lineup? Already done it and successfully. Nose tackle Mike Purcell and inside linebacker Alexander Johnson have taken advantage of their opportunities and the coaching staff’s decision to keep Kareem Jackson strictly at safety was also a hit. Related Articles Kiszla: At this point in storied NFL career, is old Tom Brady any better than Broncos journeyman Jeff Driskel?

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Think about this: In their Week 4 win over the Chargers, the Broncos’ defense started more players who were in the AAF this winter (Purcell and cornerback De’Vante Bausby) than their former first-round picks (outside linebacker Von Miller).

If the Broncos make lineup changes, it will be on offense. It needs to be on offense.

2. Two trades make sense

On Friday, Fangio said he and Elway haven’t held a trade-specific meeting.

“We haven’t any of those discussions yet,” Fangio said. “And I don’t know that we will. We’ll see.”

A league source earlier this month said the expiring contracts of receiver Emmanuel Sanders and cornerback Chris Harris could fetch a fourth-round pick apiece. That seems to be fair value.

Trading Sanders would be easier to manage than dealing Harris.

If Sanders was shipped to a contender, it would allow the Broncos to feature Courtland Sutton, but also give DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick (if he is designated to return from injured reserve) and even Juwann Winfree an extended run to see what their 2020 role could be.

The problem with trading Harris is the Broncos are super thin at cornerback.

Bryce Callahan (foot) hasn’t played yet and he shouldn’t be counted on until he proves otherwise. Bausby (neck) is out for the year. Isaac Yiadom has had two chances and been benched. Davontae Harris, not good enough to make 0-6 Cincinnati out of camp, has started the last two games, actually playing well. And Duke Dawson, acquired via trade from New England after the preseason, will need to play the nickel during Will Parks’ absence (broken hand).

Trading Harris would hurt the Broncos’ chances of winning games this year.

If Elway can add a fourth-round pick, it would give the Broncos five picks in the first four rounds.

3. Flacco’s re-structured contract is an issue

Struggling teams like the Broncos should be on the cusp of looking toward next year, particularly at the game’s most important position.

Before he had appeared in a regular-season game for the Broncos, Flacco’s contract was altered and filed to the NFL on Aug. 31.

The paperwork moved $17 million of Flacco’s base salary this year to a signing bonus spread from 2019-23. It created $13.6 million in immediate salary cap space for the Broncos, which was believed to be ear-marked by Elway and his cabinet to re-sign some of their players.

So far, only fullback Andy Janovich has signed a new contract.

If the Broncos had not touched Flacco’s contract, the books would have clean after this year if they chose to move on. Now, if they cut him in March, they will absorb a $13.6 million “dead” salary-cap charge in 2020. Not ideal.

As of Friday, the Broncos had $10 million in salary-cap space, according to the NFLPA.

4. No run game = no hope

The Broncos’ desired offensive philosophy is to establish the run, which in turn will set up the pass.

Entering Sunday, the Broncos are 15th in rushing yards per game (109.6), 14th in carries per game (26.3) and 16th in yards per attempt (4.17). On first down, the Broncos are 21st (4.83).

When the Broncos rush 30 or more times, they’re 2-1. In the other four games, they’ve rushed 23, 24, 16 and 21 times.

When the Broncos can’t run it, they need to rely on their quarterback and pass protection. Not the best formula.

5. Special teams are a mess

Kicker Brandon McManus is 12 of 15 on field goals and has missed one extra point. Punter Colby Wadman’s net average is 36.8 yards (below 40 is mediocre). The coverage teams have allowed a 68-yard punt return touchdown and a 72-yard kick return. And there was the failed fake punt on Thursday.

Fangio said Friday he “absolutely” has confidence in special teams coordinator Tom McMahon to make the fixes.

Playing without core special teamers Joe Jones and Janovich for the first month of the season wasn’t ideal and returner Diontae Spencer has shown some flashes, but the inconsistencies have carried over from last year.

All Fangio can do once the players return to the facility on Tuesday is stress his confidence in them.

“I think these guys are grinders; they have been up to this point,” he said. “I believe they’ll continue to do that.”

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