The Broncos are signing free agent tight end Garrett Graham to a one-year contract, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). After signing Owen Daniels in 2015, Gary Kubiak‘s team is adding a former Texans tight end to its roster for the second consecutive year.
Graham, 29, joined the Texans as a fourth-round pick in 2010, and after playing sparingly in his first two seasons, he emerged as a weapon in the passing game in 2012. His best season in Houston came in 2013, when he caught 49 balls for 545 yards and five touchdowns.
Graham’s 2013 performance earned him a three-year, $11MM+ extension in 2014, but that new deal coincided with the departure of Kubiak in Houston and the arrival of new head coach Bill O’Brien. The Wisconsin alum was never an ideal fit in O’Brien’s offense, and saw his role reduced over the course of the last two seasons. In 2015, he fell behind C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin on the Texans’ depth chart, leading to his eventual release.
With Daniels no longer in the tight end mix in Denver, Graham will join a group that includes Jeff Heuerman, Virgil Green, and Richard Gordon. The former Texan should have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot and perhaps regular playing time as well.
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