Should the Denver Broncos Trade for a Tight End to Boost Struggling Offense?

The Denver Broncos are undefeated so far in 2015, but their offensive struggles have become all too common. Peyton Manning has not been able to consistently connect with tight ends Owen Daniels and Virgil Green. The team certainly seems to be missing both Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme this year. Both tight ends left in free agency as the Broncos chose to go in a different direction.

After six weeks, Tamme has the most receiving yards of any of these tight ends. He’s caught 22 passes for 266 yards this year with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s been targeted 30 times and has ran 130 routes, giving him a target-to-routes-run percentage of 18.5.

Thomas has only played in three games this year for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he’s still produced more than the Broncos duo. Battling through hand and rib injuries, Thomas has caught 10 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown. He’s been targeted 20 times on 70 routes, giving him a target-to-routes-run percentage of 20.

Daniels has run the most routes of this group (190) in 2015. However, he’s only hauled in 14 catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns after six games. His target-to-routes-run ratio is only 14.7 percent.

Green is being seriously underused this year, and he has ran the lowest number of routes (39) in this group. He’s only been targeted five times, hauling in three passes for 38 yards. His target-to-routes-run ratio is 12.8 percent.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post believes the Broncos need to give Manning more weapons on offense. The players suggested in his article are all tight ends who might be available via trade.

Should the Broncos trade for a tight end to boost their struggling offense? Let’s take a look at some players to decide who (if any) is the best option.

Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

There’s no question that veteran Vernon Davis is a physical specimen. He has an incredible size-speed combination and can be used to create mismatches in multiple formations.

Things aren’t going well for Davis this season, though. He’s battled a minor knee injury this year, but he’s barely being used on offense when he does get on the field. Davis has little chemistry with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and it seems like he needs a change of scenery.

If added, Davis could immediately improve the red-zone offense. He has really good body control and can make difficult catches seem routine. If focused and motivated, Davis can dominate an opponent. The Broncos would be wise to feature Davis all over the field if they were to add him via trade.

Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Like Davis, Rams tight end Jared Cook has amazing physical ability. He has a large wingspan and can play “above the rim” on the football field.

For years (with both the Tennessee Titans and the Rams) Cook has failed to truly play up to his potential. In 2011, Cook had a career high in receiving yards (759) and seemed to be trending in the right direction. However, he’s never been able to best those numbers, and Cook has only had a few more receptions in a single season than he did that year (49).

The Broncos could use Cook to attack the middle seam of the defense. His size makes him an attractive target against smaller defenders. Cook's speed allows him to run by linebackers in coverage, and he has the speed to flip the field on any play.

Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The most productive tight end of this group would be Martellus Bennett.

The Bears are in rebuilding mode, and that’s why they’ve already dealt away some of their high-priced veterans. The other two potential trade targets listed in this article are physical freaks, but they’ve been career disappointments in most seasons. Bennett is perhaps not quite as physically gifted as those two, but he’s consistent and productive—something the Broncos offense needs desperately.

If the Broncos made a move for Bennett, then he could become a major part of the offense. Bennett has run four fewer routes (186) than Daniels, yet he has 20 more receptions this year. His 155 yards after the catch are almost a 100 more yards than Daniels (37) and Green (29) combined. Bennett can turn short catches into long gains, and he’s a presence on the field that commands the football.

Summary

Never say never, but trading for any of these tight ends has to be considered a long shot.

Davis has a $6.9 million cap number this season, and he’s set to hit free agency in 2016. Even though the Broncos are in what could be the final year of their Super Bowl window with Manning, the team may not want to trade for an underperforming Davis.

Cook has a $8.3 million cap number in 2015, and he’s under contract until 2018. Over the next two seasons, Cook’s cap number is similar, but there’s only around $3.9 million left in dead money on his deal. Adding Cook would come with more of a long-term commitment than Davis, but it would also come with a huge price tag.

Bennett has the smallest cap number of this group ($6.1 million), and he’s under contract through 2016. He has a $6.3 million cap number in 2016, but there’s only $1.125 million left in dead money. It’s nice to imagine a trade to bring Bennett to Denver, but would former Broncos head coach John Fox want to improve the team led by general manager John Elway?

Any of these tight ends would likely improve the production the Broncos are getting at the position this season.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.