NFL Trade: Tony Scheffler and Ernie Sims Dealt in Three-Team Deal

Tony Scheffler is going back home.

Born in Morenci, Michigan and an alumni of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, the former second round pick will now ply his trade in the Motor City.

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Denver Broncos have dealt the pass-catching tight-end to the Detroit Lions along with a seventh round pick (#220 overall).  In exchange, the Broncos will receive a fifth round draft pick (#137 overall) in the 2010 draft from the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles enter the picture as they receive linebacker Ernie Sims from the Lions.  Sims was being pushed for his starting job by DeAndre Levy, a rookie in 2009.  Philadelphia certainly had need for a linebacker and Sims is a very talented player that could see a resurgence playing in the City of Brotherly Love.

Detroit adds another weapon for last year's top draft pick QB Matthew Stafford, alongside TE Brandon Pettigrew (or as insurance if his ACL injury is slow to recover), Scheffler will add more dimensions to the Lions passing game.  With Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson at WR, the Lions offense will have plenty of playmakers.

The Broncos were expecting to receive a third round pick in exchange for Scheffler from early reports, but that appears to have not held up in the market for the tight-end this close to the draft.

Last year's second round pick, Richard Quinn, takes a step forward on the depth chart but it would be expected for the Broncos to acquire another tight-end in the off-season to add more depth.

Scheffler agreed to not seek a contract extension with the Lions after signing his one year tender with the Broncos recently.  That will make him an unrestricted free agent after the 2010 season is concluded.