Editor’s note: Fourth in a series previewing the Broncos’ position groups entering training camp. Today: wide receivers.
On the roster (12): Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Taylor Grimes, Marquez Callaway, K.J. Hamler, Kendall Hinton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Brandon Johnson, Marvin Mims Jr., Jalen Virgil, Montrell Washington.
How many on the 53? Six
Most impactful offseason move: Keeping Jeudy and Sutton
Leading up to the NFL draft, Sutton and Jeudy’s names were mentioned in trade talks. Denver, however, stayed faithful to both wide receivers and even picked up Jeudy’s fifth-year option. Although trading either Jeudy or Sutton would’ve led to additional draft picks, keeping them allows the Broncos’ offense to be more explosive this season. Jeudy finished the regular season on a high note, totaling 37 catches for 523 yards and three touchdowns in his final six games. Sutton recorded 829 yards despite quarterback Russell Wilson struggling and the entire offense hammered with injuries.
Denver has an opportunity to see what Jeudy, Sutton and wide receiver Tim Patrick, who is returning from a torn ACL, can do together with a supposedly improved Wilson and head coach Sean Payton running the offense. That’s worth keeping them around for another season.
Biggest question to answer in camp: Can Hamler show he still has value?
Hamler has the talent to be an impactful player in Denver’s wide receivers room. However, are the Broncos willing to bank on him staying healthy? Hamler, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, has played in 10 games over the past two seasons due to injuries. In 2021, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 3. A hamstring injury forced Hamler to miss the final nine games of last season before he tore his pectoral muscle while training on his own away from the Broncos facility in March.
Simply put, the clock is ticking on Hamler. And with the Broncos drafting wideout Marvin Mims Jr. in the second round, Hamler has to do whatever it takes in training camp to make the team look past his injury history.
Battle to watch: Jeudy, Sutton and Patrick make up Denver’s top three wide receivers. Who is next?
Certainly, Denver will not keep 12 wide receivers on the 53-man roster. So who makes the cut? Jeudy, Sutton and Patrick have the top three spots locked up, so deciding who fills the remaining spots is pretty tricky.
Mims has the speed to make big plays down the field, while Hamler can do the same when healthy. Callaway, who signed in the offseason, posted a career-best 698 receiving yards under Payton in 2021. They also have Humphrey, Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, Hinton, Johnson and Washington, the team’s returner last season.
This is one position group worth watching throughout camp.
Under the radar player: Brandon Johnson
Johnson, who is entering his second year after signing with Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2022, looked solid during OTAs and minicamp. He didn’t play much last season, totaling six receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown in seven games, as he bounced between the practice squad and the active roster.
But if his strong play in Denver’s offseason program translates to training camp and preseason games, Johnson could very well earn a spot on the roster.
Friday: Offensive line.
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