According to media reports as well as a release by the Baltimore Ravens, the Denver Broncos have acquired center Gino Gradkowski and a 2016 draft pick in exchange for a 2016 draft pick.
Source: Ravens trading center Gino Gradkowski to Broncos: http://t.co/6w6Q3DhlUv
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 1, 2015
The pick compensation was originally reported to be a late-round pick, but the Broncos actually paid a pretty decent price to get Gradkowski from the Ravens.
From @Edwerderespn and myself -- Broncos-Ravens trade is: Ravens get 4th Rd pick in '16, #Broncos get Gradkowski + 5th Rd pick in '16.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) April 1, 2015
Gradkowski joins Manny Ramirez and Matt Paradis in the race to start at center for the Broncos in 2015 after he was replaced in Baltimore last year by Jeremy Zuttah.
With the Broncos, Gradkowski will be in a familiar system having spent last season with Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison, learning zone blocking concepts the Broncos will employ moving forward. The Broncos had to make some sort of move at the center position, but I don’t really think anyone saw this coming.
Gradkowski will add about $1.5 million to the payroll for the Broncos this season, which is probably at least half the price they would have paid for any free agent center on the market.
This might not prevent the Broncos from drafting another center, but it might be a guy that can also play another position (hello, Cameron Erving?) so don’t get too worked up about that, but this could very well be their starter at the position for 2015.
He got off to a really rough start to his rookie season in 2012, grading out as one of the worst centers in the league by Pro Football Focus, but he significantly improved as the year wore on…
Many are already scoffing at this move, but it says something that Kubiak went after this guy after being familiarized with him this past season. If Gradkowski can compete to be a starter, this move is worth the 4th round draft pick it required to get him. Even then, the Broncos also acquired a 5ht round pick in the trade, and will likely recover the one they gave up in the form of a compensatory selection.