According to ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli, the Broncos have acquired a defensive lineman from the Cleveland Browns for the third time this month. The latest addition comes after Denver landed veteran end Ebenezer Ekuban in exchange for running back Reuben Droughns, who is coming off a 1,000-yard season.

The trade, news of which was first brought to light by FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer, is said to be contingent on both players passing physical exams with their new franchises. Ekuban arrived in Denver on Tuesday afternoon and Droughns is scheduled to travel to Cleveland on Wednesday.

Because Ekuban underwent knee and shoulder surgeries since the conclusion of the season, and might not be completely rehabilitated until sometime in May, the swap might include a safeguard, in the form of a 2006 draft pick, to protect the Broncos against the injuries.

Ekuban will join a pair of former Cleveland linemates, tackle Gerard Warren and end Courtney Brown, with the Broncos as the team continues to rebuild its defensive front. Warren was acquired in a trade three weeks ago for a fourth-round draft pick. Brown reached a contract agreement in principle with Denver on Monday evening. All three of the players are former first-round draft choices.

Droughns amassed a surprising 1,240 yards rushing last year, impressive numbers considering he didn't take over the primary ball carrier role until the second week of October. He also hauled in an impressive 32 passes for 241 yards and scored eight TDs -- six on the ground.

Droughns had six 100-yard rushing games -- including games of 193, 176 and 166 yards -- as Denver's coaching staff and offensive line churned out yet another 1,000-yard rusher.

"It's a great opportunity for Reuben, because it allows him to stay at tailback, which was a big priority," agent Drew Rosenhaus told Pasquarelli Tuesday night. "Given his production in '04, he really didn't want to go back to playing fullback. He felt like he established himself as a viable tailback, a guy who could carry a team's running game."

As noted in last Sunday's Fantasy Notebook, in addition to facing the prospect of returning to fullback had he remained in Denver, Droughns would have had to battle for playing time no matter what.

"It all depends on who wins out at what positions," head coach Mike Shanahan told Rocky Mountain News staffer Jeff Legwold last week. "If he played the fullback position, he's going to have to beat out Kyle Johnson and Cecil Sapp and Brandon Miree."

Instead, he joins a Browns backfield that was split between William Green and Lee Suggs last year.

"I'm excited," Droughns told Denver's KCNC-TV. "I get a new chance, a fresh start with a new team."

Pasquarelli suggests that even though he was more productive than both of his Cleveland counterparts combined last season, Droughns will serve as the backup to projected starter Suggs.

His arrival likely spells the end of Green's three-year stint in Cleveland.

The former first-round pick, who has been plagued by off-field problems since his arrival in '02, is now likely to be released. According to Glazer, the deal for Droughns basically allows Cleveland to cut Green and still focus on a position other than running back in the first round of this year's draft.