The Washington Redskins added to their quickly growing stockpile of wide receivers Wednesday by acquiring Jabar Gaffney from the Denver Broncos in exchange for defensive end Jeremy Jarmon.
The 30-year-old Gaffney has 375 receptions over nine NFL seasons with the Houston Texans, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. He is coming off the best back-to-back seasons of his career: 54 catches for 732 yards in 2009 and 65 catches for 875 yards last year.
"It shocked me. I didn't have any clue it was going to happen," said Gaffney, who had reported to the Broncos and was prepared to go through a conditioning test when informed of the trade. "There's going to be a lot of crazy things going on."
He joins a Redskins receiving corps that will include Santana Moss, Donte' Stallworth and Anthony Armstrong. Moss is re-signing with the team, having agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal. Free agent Stallworth said Wednesday he has reached a deal with Washington and is expected to sign a one-year contract Friday.
Armstrong remains under contract from last season, and the Redskins also selected three wideouts -- Leonard Hankerson, Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson -- in April's draft.
Gaffney also made news last year when he provided the gun that teammate Kenny McKinley used to commit suicide. Gaffney said he sold the gun to McKinley legally.
"(Gaffney's) the best receiver I've ever played with. He's mentally the toughest; he's physically the toughest," Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd said. "He doesn't take plays off. He's consistent. He catches the ball. He knows what he's doing. I mean, he could be the third-string quarterback.
"And I think that as sad as it is for him leaving, I'm happy for him because it's a fresh start. And it's a vacancy that they need. They need a consistent, every-down pass-catcher on that team, a bigger guy. They got a whole bunch of little receivers, and they need a bigger guy there to catch the ball and be consistent, be tough, not miss practice, not miss games."
Gaffney's departure creates a starting opportunity for second-year receiver Eric Decker, allowing Eddie Royal to stay in the slot.
"It opens it up," Lloyd said. "I don't know what the climate of our receiving corps is right now. I know it leaves us with a void in having a true outside receiver who can get open and catch the ball on a consistent basis. But we're just going to have to develop and get better."
Jarmon, selected by the Redskins in the third round of the 2009 supplemental draft, was the odd man out when Washington switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme last season, fitting in neither as a defensive end nor as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. He played in 16 games over two seasons, totaling just 11 tackles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
