Schlereth: There is value in the Broncos trading Demaryius Thomas

With the NFL trade deadline looming on Tuesday at 2 p.m., “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth said there’s only one move the Denver Broncos need to make.

On Monday, Schlereth said the Broncos need to move on from Demaryius Thomas in order to clear salary and to give guys like rookie Courtland Sutton more playing time.

“I think there’s one position, and one position only, that you have to just say, ‘Hey, it’s been a great career. Thanks for your service, D.T., but we’re moving on,’” Schlereth said. “We’ve got Courtland Sutton. We’re good at that position.

“What kind of value can we get, one, and what kind of salary can we dump, two. That’s what you’re looking for.”

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Schlereth’s co-host, Mike Evans, however, said he thinks Thomas wouldn’t demand a haul on the trade market and questioned if perhaps the Broncos should look to do more than just trade the Pro Bowl wide receiver.

“Are you prepared to say we are in enough of a rebuilding mode that we have to be willing to give up the guys that can bring real value? Emmanuel Sanders, Chris Harris Jr., I’ll even throw out the big fish — Von Miller,” Evans said.

The problem with trading stars for draft picks, Schlereth said, is that the Broncos would have to “hit on all the draft picks.” But by moving Thomas, at the very least you’ll free up roster space for younger players, he said.

“You get some of these younger players that are, frankly, ascending players as opposed to declining players,” Schlereth said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.