Daiyan Henley is exactly the kind of player who could help Broncos

Last year, the most impactful trade-deadline addition when it came to affecting the outcome that matters most — the Super Bowl winner — saw the Seattle Seahawks surrender fourth- and fifth-round draft choices to the New Orleans Saints to acquire wide receiver and kick returner Rashid Shaheed.

All he did was jump-start a comeback from a 16-point deficit against the Los Angeles Rams for a thrilling Thursday Night Football win that ultimately was the difference between the No. 1 and 5 seed positions in the postseason, and then ignite Seattle’s postseason run to its second world championship with a playoff-opening kickoff return for a touchdown in the divisional round.

So, it’s worth noting that the Broncos gave up the same compensation in terms of draft capital — fourth- and fifth-round choices, although one of them is in the 2028 NFL Draft — to the Los Angeles Chargers for linebacker Daiyan Henley, a two-year captain and starter who doesn’t fit into the Broncos’ starting lineup … at least, not yet.

Henley will contribute on special teams, but he also gives the Broncos an experienced reserve at a position group that lacked it.

Considering that the Broncos have been forced to make tweaks at every other defensive position group so far this season, the inside linebackers have been fortunate to remain healthy.

But where the team had reserve options with extensive experience at safety (Taylor Rapp), edge rusher (Jonah Elliss) and in the rotation-heavy defensive line, the ability to absorb Enyi Uwazurike’s injury smoothly with recent Day 2 picks Sai’vion Jones and Tyler Onyedim, all they had behind starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad were two players with a combined 29 defensive snaps in Karene Reid and Jordan Turner, upgrading the depth was a priority.

Finding a three-year starter was a best-case scenario.

BRONCOS GET A LINEBACKER WITH SOME DISTINCTIVE QUALITIES, PRODUCTION

First of all, he has the potential to provide a boost in coverage. Per Pro Football Focus data, Henley has allowed an 85.4 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks when targeted so far this season. Among 73 inside linebackers with at least 100 coverage snaps, that places Henley among the league’s top third at his position group, ranking him 20th.

In that same statistic, current Broncos starters come in below that. Strnad ranks 41st (98.0 rating for opposing quarterbacks when targeted) and Singleton is 61st (117.4)

Henley is also one of just five linebackers around the NFL with at least four sacks, four interceptions and 10 quarterback hits since the start of the 2026 season. That’s the sort of play-making versatility that only Ja’Quan McMillian among current Broncos defenders can match.

The combination of leadership and production gives Henley the opportunity to impact the Broncos down the stretch, assuming he can get on the field on defense. Given the number of injuries that have struck the defense so far this season — and the fact that inside linebacker is the one position group to emerge unscathed so far — the chances are decent that he’ll get his shot.

Related

ESPN gives Broncos neutral grade for Daiyan Henley tradeWas the Broncos’ Daiyan Henley trade a need or a luxury?Did the Broncos do enough at the trade deadline?Report: Broncos were ‘interested’ in Tony Pollard, Titans ‘adamant’ about keeping himThe Broncos’ identity is clear, even if it’s one fans don’t likeBroncos land Chargers LB Daiyan Henley in deadline-day trade