The Denver Broncos made a trade on Monday with the San Francisco 49ers ahead of today’s 2 PM Mountain Time trade deadline. The 49ers sent veteran tight end Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos as well as a 2016 seventh round pick. The 49ers will receive the Broncos’ sixth round pick in 2016 and 2017. How will this help the Denver Broncos offense?
Vernon Davis was drafted in the first round, 6th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2006 draft. Davis spent nine and a half years with the 49ers. He had 441 catches for 5,640 yards and 55 touchdowns. This year Davis has 194 yards receiving but no touchdowns. He is not only a catching tight end but can block for the running backs. The Broncos have missed that this year.
According to NFL.com, linebacker Brandon Marshall said, “He’s a huge weapon for our offense. The guy’s a speed demon. He’s a mismatch for linebackers and safeties, so he’s going to help us out tremendously. I think he’ll fit right in to the chemistry that we have, definitely.”
ESPN.com stated that Denver Broncos’ General Manager John Elway said, “We’re excited to add Vernon to the roster. He’s a guy that adds great experience, great speed. [He has] been a team leader for the Niner’s for a long time. He’ll be a great addition, a big weapon for us because of the speed that he has.”
The Denver Broncos had a reliable tight end in Julius Thomas the last few seasons. Thomas had 43 receptions for 489 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. In 2013 he had 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. Manning looked to Thomas in the end zone because he created mismatches for the defense. Thomas signed with Jacksonville during free agency.
This season Manning hasn’t had a tight end to throw the ball to. Owen Daniels has been his go to tight end as he has 129 yards and two touchdowns. The other tight end who has caught passes for the Broncos this year is Virgil Green. Green has 99 yards receiving and one touchdown. Green is more of a blocking tight end.
Davis is an upgrade for the Denver Broncos and will assist the tight ends core. He can go catch passes for Payton Manning and can also block to protect Manning from getting sacked. This was a move the Broncos had to make. They wanted to get better on offense, especially at the tight end position. Vernon Davis does just that. The Broncos didn’t have to give up much to acquire Vernon Davis. Davis has to be excited to come to the Denver Broncos who are in a playoff race while the 49ers aren’t.
What do you think of the Broncos acquiring Vernon Davis?
Leave a Reply