D-Rob a Bronco

ESPN reports that Jets DT Dwayne Robertson has been dealt to Denver for undisclosed draft picks. No details of the deal are available, however, Cincinnati reportedly withdrew an offer for a 4th and a 5th rounder, suggesting Denver's offer was less profitable for the Jets. Should Robertson stay healthy, he would provide much needed relief to Denver's depleted defensive line.

UPDATE: ESPN's Bill Williamson has carefully chosen the phrase "pick or picks" in highlighting Denver's cost in this deal. The possibility that we have spend a single first-day pick still remains. Adam Schefter is now reporting that Denver will send a conditional 2009 pick as compensation. I need more than one hand to count the number of times Adam Schefter has reported something that turned out to be purely fabricated. I'm still not convinced that Denver won't part with a 2008 pick between rounds 4 and 6.

Also, Jeff Legwold just published a short article on this developing situation. After reading it I have a couple of notable insights:

• Word of this deal was apparently leaked by Oakland who recently inquired about his availability. This could mean that Denver didn't want this information released publicly until the draft. So long as the draft-pick compensation is undisclosed, Denver still retains some strategic leverage over third parties whose tactical decisions on draft day would be affected by this deal. In other words, don't expect to hear the full details of this deal until next Sunday.
  
  
• Shanahan recently intimated that a deal for Robertson was unlikely because he considered his knees to be a "big risk." Lets get the obvious out of the way here: this could easily be construed as a smoke screen. Given all the interest Robertson has received, that would've been prudent. Not so obvious are the details of the new contract Denver has negotiated with Robertson in consideration of this deal. The Broncos certainly aren't going to pay the $18 million he's owed over the next two seasons. More likely, Robertson will receive some kind of incentive-laden deal predicated largely on the number of games he suits up for.
  
  
• Most telling in this situation is the level of effort displayed by Cincinnati. Depending on how you look at it, there are a couple of ways you can interpret these moves:
  
  
  1. One might conjecture that Cincinnati had no intention of drafting Sedrick Ellis at 9th overall and were looking for a stop gap option. I tend not to subscribe to this believe.
     
  2. I'd argue that Cincinnati has tipped their hand that defensive tackle is this most pressing need on Saturday. Burning question: did D-Rob's failed physical deal Denver out of any shot at Sedrick Ellis on Saturday? Time will tell.
     
  3. This could also possibly be an elaborate ploy by Cincinnati to increase their credibility in any potential trade agreement with Denver on draft day. Cincinnati is 2 picks removed from Denver in nearly ever round and also has glaring needs at DT, so this would make sense.

The more I read about this deal the more I like it. Assuming such an incentive-laden contract is in place, Denver has secured a decent chance of having a veteran defensive tackle to anchor the currently young, depleted line. Perhaps Robertson's knees keep him sidelined through much of the 2008 season and he retires; Denver would lose a pick and a paltry sum of cap room. Perhaps Robertson is effective and healthy in 2008 before succumbing to health problems; Denver would give their 2008 draft prospects a year to develop behind a veteran defender. Or perhaps Robertson stays healthy long term and anchors Denver's defensive line; what a steal that would be! The third scenario is not out of the question. After all, Robertson is only 27 years old. There's a lot of room for optimism in this move.