Ravens trade Gradkowski to Denver for 2016 pick considerations

(Updated: 7:30 p.m.)
The Ravens have traded fourth-year center Gino Gradkowski to the Denver Broncos in a transaction that also involves 2016 draft pick considerations.
Though the specific draft choices were not disclosed by either team at the time of the announcement, the Ravens will receive the Broncos’ fourth-round pick in 2016 in exchange for Gradkowski and Baltimore’s fifth-round selection, owner Steve Bisciotti confirmed in a conference call with season-ticket holders Wednesday night.
Due to a performance escalator that raised the 2012 fourth-round pick’s base salary to $1.542 million for the 2015 season, Gradkowski was expected by many to be released to save salary cap space. Instead, general manager Ozzie Newsome clears cap room while improving a 2016 draft pick.
Gradkowski had fallen behind starting center Jeremy Zuttah and 2014 fifth-round choice John Urschel on the depth chart, making the trade a good opportunity for the University of Delaware product. He started 16 games at center for the Ravens during the 2013 season, but his struggles were a significant reason why Baltimore rushed for a league-worst 3.1 yards per carry and missed the playoffs that year.
In 2014, Gradkowski appeared in only eight games and took only 10 offensive snaps all season.