Julius Thomas had an amazing breakout season for the Broncos in 2013. Broncos GM John Elways loves the fact that he has a hybrid tight end in Thomas.
He just doesn’t want Thomas to get to far ahead of himself. After watching the New Orleans Saints give Graham a $40 million deal with $21 guaranteed, Elway decided to pump the brakes on any idea that Thomas would be in line for such a deal as well.
Elway expressed to USA Today, Thomas is good, but he’s no Jimmy Graham.
“Even though Julius had a tremendous year for us, he’s only (played) 23 games,” Elway, Denver’s general manager, told USA Today on Wednesday. “We want Julius to be a Bronco for a long time and we think he has tremendous upside, but he’s not at that level.”
Thomas had 65 receptions for 788 and 12 touchdowns in 14 games last season. Those numbers really can’t compare to Graham’s 86 receptions for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns.