TE Joel Dreessen to sign with Denver Broncos

Houston Texans tight end Joel Dreessen. (Image courtesy of Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle)

Former Houston Texans tight end Joel Dreessen is going to sign with the Denver Broncos, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.  Dreessen is expected to sign with the team later today.

Per McClain, Dreessen decided to sign with the Broncos despite a heavy push by Houston to retain him.  Dreessen, who grew up in Fort Morgan, Colo., and played collegiate football at Colorado State, opted to return home and play with quarterback Peyton Manning in Denver.

In Dreessen, Broncos get a hard-nosed, dependable player who plays hurt and will do anything coaches ask with a great attitude.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 23, 2012

Entering his seventh season in the NFL, Dreessen, 29, was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.  In 2007, Dreessen signed with Houston, where he has been Owen Daniels back-up for six seasons.

When Daniels suffered multiple injuries from 2009-2011, Dreessen saw playing time in 48 games (31 starts) and caught 90 passes for 1,391 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Dreessen has 110 career receptions for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns.

At 6-4, 245 pounds, Dreessen is expected to become a starter in Denver.

Solid signing by the Broncos.  The team has been bringing in several tight ends for visits, showing they obviously view tight end as a position of need on the roster.  Expect more signings (possibly another tight end signing) to come over the weekend.  Defensive tackle remains one of the teams biggest concerns.