With the NFL trade deadline (Nov. 4) less than a week away, ESPN has dropped a bombshell trade proposal that would send Denver Broncos breakout slot corner Ja’Quan McMillian to the Philadelphia Eagles. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Benjamin Solak suggested the Broncos ship McMillian along with a 2026 seventh-round pick to Philly in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection and a conditional 2027 sixth-rounder.
“The slot corner market looks robust,” Solak wrote, pointing to the Titans already moving Roger McCreary for a Day 3 pick swap and noting both Michael Carter II (Jets) and McMillian could be available. “I like McMillian best for the Eagles. His replacement is waiting in the wings in Denver, as the Broncos drafted Jahdae Barron in the first round of the 2025 draft. The injury to Pat Surtain II should not affect the Broncos’ plans in the slot much, with Kris Abrams-Draine ready at outside corner. Signed as an exclusive rights free agent last year, McMillian is on an extremely cheap one-year contract, and the Eagles would retain his restricted free agent rights for next season.”
A former undrafted free agent, the 25-year-old McMillian has been Denver’s primary nickel for the past few seasons, consistently grading among the position’s elite. He’s racked up 120 solo tackles, 19 pass deflections, four interceptions, five sacks, and five forced fumbles over 42 career games. This season, through eight starts, he’s posted four breakups, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning Pro Football Focus’ No. 24 cornerback grade out of 113 qualifiers and the third-highest pass-rush mark (90.5) at the position.
Yet despite the hype, a trade feels unlikely. Denver’s pass defense leads the NFL in opponent completion percentage and ranks eighth in yards per attempt—even after losing reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II to a multi-week shoulder injury. Disrupting that unit for two late-round picks makes little sense, especially with McMillian proving far more valuable in orange and blue than any draft compensation on the table. Unless Sunday’s road clash in Houston exposes a glaring hole, expect McMillian to stay put through the 2025 campaign.