By Dianna Russini, Nick Kosmider and Doug Haller

The Denver Broncos are trading edge rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick, the Cardinals announced Monday. The Cardinals had scoured the market for the position.

Meanwhile, in addition to trading Browning, the Broncos also signed Jonathon Cooper to a four-year contract extension, a source briefed on the deal confirmed Monday.

The Broncos drafted the 25-year-old Browning in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He totaled 114 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks in three-plus seasons in Denver. In five games this season, he had seven total tackles, including one solo tackle.

The Broncos selected the 26-year-old Cooper in the seventh round of the same 2021 draft. During his time in Denver, he has accumulated 193 total tackles and 18 1/2 sacks, including 35 total tackles (19 solo) and 5 1/2 sacks in nine games this season.

Why the Broncos made this trade now

Simply put, the Broncos took advantage of a market that was hot near the deadline while also putting together their pass-rush picture going forward.

Browning was a productive player for the Broncos at times, but he fell down the pecking order at fullback after playing on injured reserve early in the season due to a foot injury. Cooper, a teammate of Browning's at Ohio State and during their four seasons together in Denver, has emerged as the team's best all-around edge player, and Nik Bonitto, under contract through 2024, leads the team with six sacks . The team also drafted Jonah Elliss in the third round of the NFL Draft in April and appears intent on giving its young players — including quarterback Bo Nix and three rookie skill position players — more time to develop in the second half of the season give.

Browning is expected to be a free agent after this season, meaning the Broncos added a Day 3 pick while facing one less contract issue this offseason.

Browning's departure likely means additional playing time for Dondrea Tillman, who had two sacks in a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this season. — Nick Kosmider, Broncos beat writer

Cardinals get a pass-rush boost with a low-risk play

Three weeks ago, the Cardinals were 2-4, their worst game in coach Jonathan Gannon's two seasons. They haven't lost since and have jumped to the top of the NFC West.

To stay there, they needed help in the pass rush. Aside from Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears, in which Arizona recorded six sacks, the Cardinals have struggled to find the passer. They didn't have much luck, losing fullbacks BJ Ojulari (in August) and Dennis Gardeck (October) to ACL injuries.

But with the playoffs a possibility, the front office had to do something. Browning produced 9 1/2 sacks in Denver but has recently battled injuries and struggled to find his spot. Sometimes a change of scenery is worth it. This is a low-risk move for the Cardinals. And it shows the locker room that the organization is serious about winning. — Doug Haller, senior writer from Arizona

More on Cooper's expansion

The Broncos signed Cooper to his extension over the weekend while the team was in Baltimore to play the Ravens, a source briefed on the signing confirmed.

Cooper has emerged as a bona fide star as a full-time starter over the last two seasons. He recorded two sacks in Denver's season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks and was among the NFL's leaders in pressure percentage for most of the season.

The Broncos, who will have their own first- and second-round picks in April's draft for the first time since 2021, will still have a lot of work to do. A wide receiver, left tackle and running back are at the top of the list. Signing Cooper doesn't remove edge rushers from this list, but the Broncos are encouraged by the depth they're building at the position. The defensive improvement, led by Cooper, Zach Allen and newcomer John Franklin-Myers, is a big reason the Broncos will be in the hunt for the playoffs in the second half, even after the emphatic loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Cooper was expected to be a third- or fourth-round pick out of Ohio State in 2021, but a heart problem he has struggled with since childhood resurfaced late in the draft process and crashed his stock. After multiple heart surgeries, Cooper was ready for his rookie training camp and made an immediate impact. He had 4 1/2 in his first two seasons while playing a part-time role. He has recorded 14 sacks in his last 26 games in coordinator Vance Joseph's defense. — Kosmider

Will the Broncos get any further?

If Sean Payton's comments on Monday were any indication, the Broncos aren't planning any spectacular acquisitions at the trade deadline.

“Honestly, the focus here is on the guys in this building. “Superman isn’t coming in,” Payton said.

At 5-4, the Broncos are currently in seventh place in the AFC playoff standings. They visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday before hosting the surging Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. They could use a playmaker on offense – wide receiver, tight end, running back; Take your pick – but they have limited scope and seem keen to give their young players more room to develop. — Kosmider

Required reading

(Photo: Gus Stark/Getty Images)