The Broncos lost one of their most-tenured players Wednesday when tight end Virgil Green agreed to a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Primarily a blocking tight end, Green was drafted by the Broncos in the seventh-round of the 2011 draft out of Nevada and played in exactly 100 regular-season games during his career in Denver.
Last season, he started all 16 games and totaled 14 catches for 191 yards (13.6 average) and a touchdown. In his seven seasons total, Green recorded 71 receptions for 807 yards and four touchdowns.
With his exit, linebacker Von Miller is the only remaining player from the Broncos’ 2011 draft class. He and undrafted corner Chris Harris are the second-most-tenured players on the Broncos’ roster, behind receiver Demaryius Thomas, a first-round pick in 2010.
Though the Broncos are hopeful tight end Jake Butt, a fifth-round pick who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, will blossom into a red-zone threat and key target for new quarterback Case Keenum, the team will be on the hunt for pass-catchers. They need a third receiver behind Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and will need to bolster their tight end corps.
The Broncos also have tight ends Jeff Heuerman, a former third-round pick, and Austin Traylor under contract for 2018.
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