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Cleveland Browns Trade Rumors: Broncos Inquire About Joe Thomas

By Nick Dudukovich

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Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) jogs onto the field during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

In Cleveland Browns trade rumors, the Denver Broncs reportedly inquired on the availability of Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas, according to reports out of Denver.

Everything about Joe Thomas screams Cleveland Browns. He’s as blue-collar as they come in a town where a big-time work ethic can elevate an athlete into a different stratosphere.

But there’s been talk that Thomas is going to be moved and that could mean Cleveland’s No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft will be protecting Peyton Manning.

Trading Thomas doesn’t make a lot of sense for the franchise because the Browns have nobody who can replace him on the offensive line. From Denver’s perspective, the Wisconsin product could be the missing link that vaults Manning and the Broncos into Super Bowl 50.

Thomas should be viewed as valuable by other teams because he’s under contract through the 2018 season, and at the age of 30, he’s still in his prime because of the position he plays.

Depending on who you read, some writers, such as ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, contend that Thomas is the only player on the Browns that would command any value on the trade market.

The report that the Browns and Broncos are “talking” comes from Vic Lombari, who works for the CBS affiliate out of Denver.

While Lombardi says the two sides are talking, he seems hesitant to Tweet that the two teams are talking trade, which makes little sense. If they’re talking, what exactly are they talking about?

Here’s what Lombardi’s been Tweeting lately…

So, will Thomas be moved? A trade seems unlikely, just because, historically, little happens before the NFL trade deadline.

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Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto wrote about how rare it is to see trades around that deadlines, and that leads him to suspect the Browns will do nothing.

"“Unlike baseball and basketball where trades are often made near the deadline, that has not been the case in the NFL.That’s why the safe guess is the Browns do nothing.But if you’re the Browns, when it comes to trades — you need to try and make something positive happen.”"

The trade deadline is at 4 p.m. on Nov 3. If a deal is made, it’d be more likely to see someone like Alex Mack moved. The Cal product will be a free agent at the end of this season, but he has a no-trade clause that would have to be waived.

With the Browns’ season seemingly spiraling out of control, and GM Ray Farmer and coach Mike Pettine in a behind-the-scenes battle royal for power, there’s no guess as to what the franchise could do at the trade deadline.

Next: It's November, Which Means It's Already Time To Give Up On The Browns

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