Adam Schefter is reporting that the Broncos have traded a 2017 draft pick to the Patriots in return for TE A.J. Derby.
- Field Yates confirms the report and adds that the Patriots will receive a 2017 fifth-round pick in return for Derby.
“A.J. is a young tight end who can help us immediately,” said Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway. “He has tremendous upside and will fit in well on our team.”
This is the Patriots second trade of the day after they sent a 2017 sixth-round pick to the Lions in return for LB Kyle Van Noy and a 2017 seventh-round pick.
Some had previously suggested that the Broncos could use another tight end and it appears as though they agreed.
Derby, 25, is a former sixth-round pick of the Patriots back in 2015. He’s currently in the second year of his four-year, $2,392,052 contract and set to make a base salary of $525,000 for the 2016 season.
In 2016, Derby has appeared in four games for the Patriots but has yet to record a single reception.
Last year, Derby was waived with an injury designation during the preseason and later reverted to the Patriots’ injured reserve list.
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