Denver sent Baltimore three picks, Nos. 43, 70 and 114, to…
Denver sent Baltimore three picks, Nos. 43, 70 and 114, to move up to No. 25 in 2010 and select Tim Tebow. Tebow produced a memorable 2011 playoff run and an overtime postseason win, but he lasted only two seasons in Denver. Baltimore turned the package into Sergio Kindle, Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta. Kindle was a miss, yet Dickson and Pitta became productive tight ends. The Ravens received the broader long-term return.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2010 1st round pick (25th overall, Tim Tebow)
Baltimore Ravens Received
- pick 2010 2nd round pick (43rd overall, Sergio Kindle )
- pick 2010 3rd round pick (70th overall, Ed Dickson )
- pick 2010 4th round pick (114th overall, Dennis Pitta)
Trade Analysis
Denver's decision to trade back into the first round for Tim Tebow was one of the boldest moves of the 2010 draft. The Broncos sent Baltimore picks 43, 70 and 114 for No. 25, then selected the Florida quarterback. Tebow was a polarizing prospect, but Denver believed his leadership, athletic ability and unconventional skill set were worth a first-round investment.
For a brief period, the bet produced one of the most memorable stretches in franchise history. Tebow took over a struggling team during the 2011 season, helped Denver win the AFC West and threw the overtime touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas that beat Pittsburgh in the wild-card round. That playoff victory gives his Broncos tenure genuine value that cannot be dismissed simply because it was short.
The limitation was longevity. Denver signed Peyton Manning in 2012 and traded Tebow to the Jets, ending his Broncos career after two seasons. Baltimore, meanwhile, spread its return across three players. Second-round linebacker Sergio Kindle never recovered into the expected role after suffering a serious head injury before his rookie season. The other two selections fared much better. Ed Dickson became a starting tight end and useful target, while Dennis Pitta developed into an important receiving option and later posted a strong postseason during Baltimore's Super Bowl XLVII run.
The Ravens did not land a superstar, and Kindle's failed development matters when assessing the haul. Still, two productive tight ends from the three selections supplied more sustained roster value than Denver received from Tebow.
Denver's side deserves more credit than a simple bust label because the 2011 division title and playoff win were significant accomplishments. Yet the Broncos paid three premium-to-midround selections for a quarterback they moved after only two seasons. Baltimore's depth and longevity produce the stronger historical return.