Tim Tebow: What the Jabar Gaffney Trade Means for No. 15

Jabar Gaffney was traded to the Washington Redskins yesterday. In return, the Broncos acquired the young pass-rusher Jeremy Jarmon.

Since Kyle Orton appears to be heading out of town, the Denver Broncos are likely to start second-year player Tim Tebow in 2011.

Gaffney is a big wide receiver. Standing at 6'2", his size creates matchup problems everywhere.

That is also one of the reasons he’ll be so important for the Washington Redskins in 2011—the other receivers on that roster are smallish.

It’s nice for a young and developing quarterback to have a big target to throw to. During Tebow’s three starts in 2011, Gaffney averaged 22.3 yards per reception, so it is safe to say that he was Tebow’s big play receiver.

Also, Tebow and Gaffney are both Florida alumni, and Tebow will certainly miss having Gaffney around in the locker room. There is no secret that you automatically have a lot in common if you attended the same college.

Undoubtedly, Gaffney must have been great to have around for translation when Tebow was learning the Broncos’ terminology.

When one player leaves, it opens a spot for another player. Eric Decker appears to be the one to be asked to take on a lot of Gaffney’s responsibilities.

Eric Decker is also a big receiver. The 6’3" receiver will be responsible for creating mismatches considering his size.

It remains to be seen if Decker can step up to be the big play receiver that Jabar Gaffney was for Tim Tebow in 2010. If it turns out that he is not able to fill to void of the much more experienced receiver, then Denver’s receiving corps will be a lot weaker than in 2010.