Denver signs J.T. Gray off Baltimore’s practice squad to stabilize a leaky return game while adding a versatile safety with elite kicking-game credentials. Payton called Gray a difference maker and will evaluate him next week to see when he can contribute. Gray’s Saints pedigree and All-Pro special-teaming punch give Denver immediate upside on kick and punt coverage as Week 6’s return woes linger in memory.

Gray, a 98-game veteran with 103 tackles and 2.5 sacks, could shift field position and create more return opportunities if healthy. The move comes after a 72-yard Jets kickoff return and a Broncos unit that ranked poorly in kickoff/punt returns, signaling a clear emphasis on special-teams impact entering a critical stretch.

Week 7 bye-week chaos hits early with Bills and Ravens idle, but the bigger wave arrives in Week 8 as six teams sit out. Build for Week 8 now: stash Week 8 fill-ins at QB (Dart, McCarthy, Penix Jr., Flacco), at RB (Vidal, Marks, Gainwell, Allgeier, Spears, Miller), at WR (Nacua, Smith-Njigba, St. Brown, Doubs, Downs, Pierce), and at TE (McBride, LaPorta, Bowers). Stream DSTs: Bills, Chargers, Falcons. Don’t ignore kickers—benching them is a trap.

Rosters should anticipate bye-week landmines by prioritizing backups with clear paths to volume in Week 8. The piece highlights specific matchups and fallbacks to weather the waiver-wire rush, emphasizing depth at every position and smart streaming defenses as Week 8 approaches.

Denver sits at 4-2 and faces a looming trade deadline, weighing a practical balance between upgrading needs and preserving draft capital. A PFF sweep lists seven potential targets (Andrews, Njoku, Davis, Myers, Brooks, Okonkwo, Adams) that could fit if the price is right, but Denver's immediate focus centers on shoring up the left-guard spot after Powers’ injury. Payton has signaled interest without urgency. Dre Greenlaw’s return status could tilt the scales, while Engram’s steady production keeps the offense potent even without a major overhaul.

With Greenlaw potentially back soon, Denver may remain a net buyer only if the value aligns and the price isn’t prohibitive. The Raiders-crossover remains unlikely, and a divisional trade would be a hurdle. The Broncos’ midseason assessment hinges on Greenlaw’s health and how well the line stabilizes with Peart and Powers out, as Engram and the pass game have already begun to click.

In the end, Denver’s biggest current hole—guard play—could drive a cautious approach: a modest upgrade rather than a blockbuster. The deadline, just under three weeks away, will reveal whether the roster is sharpened in time for a late-season push or kept intact to build with a full offseason under Payton.