Vernon Davis Traded To Broncos; 49ers Reportedly Receive Draft Picks

The Denver Broncos kicked off NFL trade deadline business with a bang, acquiring San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis on Monday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke news of the deal, and the Broncos confirmed it shortly after. Terms of the trade weren’t released, but Schefter’s sources had them.

By name alone, the deal is a borderline blockbuster, despite the low price tag Denver paid. Davis still is just 31 years old, and the two-time Pro Bowl selection will be a welcome addition to Denver’s receiving corps, which lost another two-time Pro Bowl pick, Julius Thomas, via free agency last season.

Davis has been a non-factor for the past two seasons. In 2014, he caught just 26 passes with two touchdowns, both of which came in Week 1. He has not caught a touchdown pass since. This season, he has caught just 18 passes for 194 yards. He also has missed two games with a knee injury, and he missed two games last season, too.

Davis’ best season came in 2009, when he caught 78 passes for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns, all career highs. He also scored 13 TDs in 2013.

If Davis stays healthy, playing in Peyton Manning’s functional offense certainly could help his numbers, despite the quarterback’s 2015 struggles. Davis is worth an add in all fantasy football formats and has second-half breakout potential given that Denver’s current pair of tight ends, Owen Daniels and Virgil Green, have combined for just 23 receptions and three touchdowns this season.

“He’s definitely going to help Virgil (Green) and Owen (Daniels) and give us some strength at that position,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak told SiriusXM NFL Radio, via the team’s official website.

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images