49ers trade Vernon Davis to Broncos for draft picks
The Denver Broncos acquired veteran tight end Vernon Davis from the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Broncos general manager John Elway confirmed.
Official terms of the deal have not yet been revealed, but according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Denver will send sixth-round picks to the 49ers in both 2016 and 2017 while receiving a 2016 seventh-round selection in return.
The two-time Pro Bowler and former first-round draft selection has seen his production take a hit, after several years in which he consistently produced as one of the NFL's top tight ends.
Though he later denied the report, tensions recently seemed to boil over when the tight end was rumored to have called out Colin Kaepernick as part of a locker room altercation centered on the struggling quarterback.
Now in Denver, joining a Peyton Manning-led offense that finally appeared to hit its stride in a dominant win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, the 31-year-old should find a role far better suited to his skill set.
With his athleticism still giving him the ability to separate and produce in 1-on-1 coverage situations, it's possible that Denver envisions a role for him similar to that of now-former tight end Julius Thomas.
Thomas, before departing as a free agent during the offseason, put together consecutive 12-touchdown years in helping the Broncos field a high-powered passing attack.
Davis was similarly productive at times throughout his career with the 49ers, recording 13 touchdowns in both 2009 and 2013.