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For the Denver Broncos in 2015 NFL Free Agency, the tight end position is going to be one of intense focus. Julius Thomas, the team’s two-time Pro Bowler and one of the top emerging receiving tight ends in the game today, is set to leave via free agency due to needs elsewhere on the roster, and not enough cap space to keep everyone while addressing other important areas of need.
While the Broncos could, in theory, find another way to keep Julius Thomas, it seems re-signing or franchise tagging Demaryius Thomas is the top priority, so many expect Julius to bolt for greener pastures.
In this piece, I want us to take a look at the top free agent targets on the open market that could be of interest to the Broncos, what players might be an interesting fit, and try to think of every scenario possible. At this point, I’m near certain the Broncos will try to draft a tight end or two, and we can’t forget about their own in-house players, but for either Peyton Manning or a young quarterback, the tight end position is critical for development and having a security blanket.
When John Elway was hired by the Broncos, he immediately drafted two athletic tight ends in 2011 (Julius Thomas, Virgil Green) and one year later signed Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen. The value of the position is high, especially when you consider positional versatility. Even with the departure of Julius Thomas, the Broncos can find a way to upgrade by way of committee and a combination of youth and a veteran presence.
Here are the scenarios this offseason for adding a tight end via free agency.
Next: Who Are The Big Name Candidates?
Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron (84) runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The (Somewhat) Sad Impending Departure — Julius Thomas, Broncos
Julius has made it clear over the last two seasons that he deserves a nice pay day. He has also made it clear he doesn’t really care if that’s with the Denver Broncos. Thomas has battled ankle injuries since coming to the Broncos, so perhaps their current cap situation is a blessing in disguise. Perhaps being essentially forced to let Orange Julius go could help the Broncos, because his injuries haunted the team in 2014.
The scenario for keeping Julius that makes some sense is figuring out a way to get Demaryius Thomas locked in to a long-term deal before the franchise tag deadline has passed, and you have to wonder if the Broncos will exhaust all options there since Peyton Manning loves Julius so much. All that said, what if the Broncos just shock us all and re-sign Julius to a long-term deal anyway?
After all, he reportedly has already turned one down…
I don’t see it likely that he comes back, but I’d be a fool if I said it wasn’t a possibility.
The Sneaky Exciting Move — Jordan Cameron, Browns
Cameron, like Julius, has had plenty of injury issues. That being said, his price tag is expected to be significantly less than Thomas’s, and the Broncos have made surprise moves every year Elway has been here.
Stealing away T.J. Ward from the Browns a year ago, the Broncos have also brought in Browns players like Mike Adams (started in Super Bowl 48) and with Tom Heckert in the front office, the Broncos have brought in a number of Cleveland players in the last couple of years.
Heckert drafted Cameron in the fourth round of the same draft the Broncos took Julius Thomas out of Portland State in, but financially this time around, it makes more sense for the Broncos to go after Cameron on a two or three-year deal that involves little guaranteed money. Some team might be willing to overpay for the talent of Cameron, and that’s a reality we have to face, but if the Broncos can do similarly what they did with T.J. Ward and get with Cameron’s representatives early, they might be able to make him an offer he can’t refuse.
And I’d be okay with that. Injury issues aside, Cameron is — outside of Thomas — the best playmaker at the tight end position available this offseason.
Next: Bang For Your Bucks
Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay (42) runs against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Ravens won 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mr. Versatility — Charles Clay, Dolphins
Charles Clay is a really fun player to watch. Coming out of college, he was underrated out of Tulsa because he was labeled a ‘tweener.’ He played multiple positions well, both as a receiver and out of the backfield, and has since turned into one of the best (yeah, I said it) tight ends in the NFL.
Clay has soft hands, he’s a mismatch in the passing game, he can play fullback/H-back, and he makes people miss in the open field. Last season, he had 12 missed/broken tackles. Julius Thomas had just two by comparison.
I think Clay in the Kubiak offense with Manning as his QB for a year would be a fantastic addition, and could see a career high in touchdowns as a mismatch with all the other stars in Denver’s offensive lineup.
While Jordan Cameron would be Mr. Sneaky-Exciting, Charles Clay would be Mr. Sneaky-Great who would thrive in the Denver offense.
Needs a Change of Scenery — Jermaine Gresham, Bengals
Jermaine Gresham is a big target and former first round pick who needs to get himself a change of scenery from Cincinnati, which hasn’t utilized him to his fullest potential.
He caught almost 80 percent of his targets last season and finished with five touchdowns, but he also had three fumbles. I think Gresham is a really solid player who could be better in the next city in which he plays than he has been for the Bengals. He has a complete skill set and is underrated as a receiver.
The Coaching Connection — Owen Daniels, Ravens
Owen Daniels has played all nine of his NFL seasons with Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak (8 in Houston, 1 in Baltimore). Why not make it an even 10 in Denver?
The Broncos have not shied away from bringing in players that coaches or other players are comfortable with, and Daniels has a strong bond with Gary Kubiak. As an inexpensive, short-term investment, you can’t do much better than this.
With somewhat low expectations this past season in Baltimore, Daniels finished with 48 catches for 527 yards and four touchdowns. He is still a very capable target at tight end going into his 10th season. Injury history here is something to monitor as well.
Next: In-House and Other Options...
Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA;Denver Broncos tight end Virgil Green (85) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Re-Sign Him, Obviously — Virgil Green, Broncos
Virgil Green graded out higher this past year than did Julius Thomas by Pro Football Focus. Their grades aren’t the end-all, be-all, but they are widely respected and especially so when it comes to what players do in the trenches. That’s where Green has made his mark, to this point.
The ultra-athletic pass catching tight end out of Nevada has developed into the Broncos’ best run blocking tight end, and is a major piece to their offense. They won’t and shouldn’t let him go, and bringing him back should be among the team’s top priorities this offseason. I could see him signing for four more years at up to $3 million per year.
What About Me? — Jacob Tamme, Broncos
Peyton Manning knows Tamme very well. Tamme can play TE or slot WR, and his familiarity with Manning could net him a one-year contract with the team before Manning decides to call it a career. The Broncos got Tamme to take a pay cut this past year, so perhaps he will sign for the veteran minimum for another year.
Other Players To Monitor
Niles Paul, Redskins
Lance Kendricks, Rams
Rob Housler, Cardinals
Tony Moeaki, Seahawks
If I Get Cut… — Vernon Davis, 49ers
Hey, if Vernon Davis gets cut, it would be an exciting move at least. The Broncos don’t need to go after every cast-off from other teams, but Davis was very poorly used with San Francisco this past year, and Denver could re-establish him as a stud for a couple years.
The veteran has speed to burn, and when healthy is one of the most physically imposing playmakers in the league. I also really wanted the Broncos to draft him back in the day.
He is 31 and had 13 touchdowns catches in 2013. This is at least a name to watch…
Next: Who Will the Broncos Sign?
Prediction/Want — Charles Clay, Dolphins
Clay is the model of versatility and consistency. He can contribute in a variety of different ways, and is a great fit in my opinion for the Broncos’ new look offense.
What Clay has done the last few years with the Dolphins is something he should be proud of, and it’s something I think would translate really well to Denver. His price tag shouldn’t be overwhelming, and he would fill a major need for the Broncos at the position replacing Julius Thomas.