Lightning strikes twice. The Denver Broncos may acquire another Baltimore Ravens guard before the NFL trade deadline. This comes on the heels of signing former Ravens guard Ben Powers in free agency before the 2023 season. Powers, though, is on injured reserve. So is his backup, Matt Peart. Let’s see who Denver could potentially add by the trade deadline.
Broncos Eye Ben Cleveland to Reinforce Offensive Line Depth
Behind door A: Ben Cleveland is in his fifth year with the Ravens, but lost out on a starting job in training camp. He’d be an upgrade for the Broncos as the team is on its third starting left guard this season. Before getting injured, Powers totaled a 77.3 (No. 75 among all qualified offensive linemen) in PFSN’s Player Offensive Line Impact Score. His backup, Peart, was injured before qualifying for a score. Cleveland, a backup, doesn’t qualify either. There’s this, though.
“The Broncos could be looking for depth at guard following the injury to Ben Powers, whom they signed from Baltimore two years ago,” Benjamin Solak wrote in ESPN’s “2025 NFL trade deadline: Players to watch, team needs, buzz” on Oct. 29.
“Here, they would add Cleveland, who re-signed with the Ravens this offseason but failed to win a camp battle for the left guard spot.
Acquiring Cleveland would only boost the Broncos’ running game. Starting running back J.K. Dobbins is No. 9 in PFSN’s RB Impact Score. His 634 yards (79.3 rushing yards per game) is third in the league.
Broncos LB Duo Under Review as Justin Strnad Pushes Alex Singleton
The Broncos may also try to upgrade their inside linebacker group. While Dre Greenlaw returns from suspension this week, Alex Singleton has been a liability in pass coverage. And it’s a passing league, as 11 personnel — one running back, one tight end — is the most frequently used formation. Even if the Broncos disguise the defense in a 3-4 base, more often than not, there’ll be two backers in the middle of the field post-snap.
“The Broncos are currently 30th in DVOA against running backs as pass catchers, and Alex Singleton has been picked on a lot in coverage,” ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wrote.
For this one, the Broncos can look internally. Behind door B is fellow backer Justin Strnad, who has been a revelation. He totals a 74.2 in PFSN’s LB Impact Score. While Singleton is graded at a 78, he’s an accounting ledger due to the nature of the position.
Strnad had a key interception in the Broncos’ comeback win against the Giants. The Broncos lose without Strnad’s contributions. He’s also fifth in the team in sacks with three and a half, which alters drives for offenses. Singleton is just racking up a bunch of tackles, with 70 through eight games, but, unlike Strnad, has yet to pick off the quarterback and has just one sack.
