AJ Derby to Broncos: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday that the Denver Broncos have traded a 2017 draft pick to the New England Patriots for tight end AJ Derby. ESPN's Field Yates reported that the pick involved in the trade is a fifth-rounder. 

The trade has been made official, per Doug Kyed of NESN.

Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reported safety Shiloh Keo was released to make room for Derby on the roster.

Derby is in his second season and had appeared in four games for the Patriots. In those four games, Derby only played 15 snaps, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. 

Taken in the sixth round of the 2015 draft, Derby began his collegiate career as a quarterback at Iowa before transferring to Arkansas. He attempted 42 passes in 14 games over two seasons as a quarterback before switching to tight end for his senior year. 

During his lone season as a tight end, Derby hauled in 22 catches for 303 yards and entered the draft with a small body of work. Yet, there is a lot of potential in his game, per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein:

"

Big, physical and fast. Athletic in space with ability to create some separation out of breaks. Has speed after catch in open field... Can line up all over the field. Natural pass-catcher. Had only one drop during 2014 season. Showed willingness to catch throws over the middle and take the punishment. Unique perspective after playing quarterback and linebacker before move to tight end. Ability to add roster depth at two positions as emergency quarterback. 

"

While he hasn't had an opportunity to show off that kind of skill set in New England, Derby is joining a Denver passing game that hasn't gotten much out of its tight ends this season.

For the small price of a fifth-rounder, the Broncos will at least acquire another option that could help spark the tight ends. That's how general manager John Elway also views Derby, according to Jhabvala:

Given his athleticism and ability to line up anywhere on the field, Derby could become a nice reliable target for quarterback Trevor Siemian and a Denver passing offense that's ranked 23rd in the NFL. 

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.