Wide Receivers the Broncos Should Consider Signing
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Upon the devastating news Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler was done for the season with a torn ACL, the Broncos after a dominant win against the New York Jets were left with a depleted receiving core featuring Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Diontae Spencer, and specialist Kendall Hinton. On the Broncos practice squad, the team has former 2020 seventh-round pick Tyrie Cleveland, rookie sixth-round pick Seth Williams, Rico Gafford, and De’Mornay Pierson-El. Despite Jerry Jeudy already and now KJ Hamler most likely to be placed on IR(Injured Reserve). The team on September 27th made a quick move by signing receiver David Moore from the Raiders practice squad.
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Moore, 26, before joining the Raiders practice squad, signed a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Although he was ultimately cut by the Panthers, Moore is known to be a productive receiver having spent four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Moore’s best year in Seattle was in the 2020-2021 NFL season where he played in all 16 games while starting six of them, posting 35 receptions for 417 yards and 6 touchdowns. Even though Moore’s numbers appear low to the average fan, you can be optimistic about his potential considering he played alongside Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf while having an elite quarterback in Russell Wilson. Although it is unknown what Moore’s role will be in the offense this season; I would not expect a fast start or Moore to be an immediate impact player versus the Baltimore Ravens.
So with that being said although the Broncos signed David Moore here are a couple of receivers the Broncos should consider signing.
Honorable Mentions: Dante Pettis (Protected on Giants Practice Squad), Riley Ridley (Free Agent/Former fourth-round pick/Calvin Ridley’s brother), Equanimeous St. Brown (Protected on Packers Practice Squad), and Brandin Cooks (Have to trade a mid-round pick/$5.6 Cap hit this year but $15.5 Cap hit next year)
Travis Fulgham
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Travis Fulgham is most known for being one of the top fantasy receivers mid-way through last season. However, in 2021, Fulgham's role was reduced due to the emergence of Quez Watkins. Leading Fulgham to be cut and resigned to the Eagles practice squad. Fulgham would be a great pick-up for the Broncos because of his playmaking ability and one of the younger players (26) on this list.
2020 Stats: 38 Receptions for 539 Yards and four Touchdowns
2. John Brown
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Brown, 31, was one of the fastest receivers coming out of the 2014 NFL Draft. Although years later injuries would so far derail his career. Brown when healthy was a very productive receiver most evident in his early years in Arizona, one year in Baltimore, and the 2019 season with the Bills. As a free agent, Brown is a player the Broncos should consider because of his production, deep threat ability, and as a veteran won’t be asked for a big role in the offense.
2020 Stats: 33 Receptions for 458 Yards and three Touchdowns
3. Golden Tate
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Golden Tate, 33, coming off a not-so-stellar year with New York Giants, appears to be ready and eager to return to the NFL. On the Sep. 27th 2021, he appeared on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football and shared whether or not he could still contribute to an NFL team. Tate said “100%… I’m an old head with young legs, I’m ready to go baby lets go!” This is good to see because although it is Week Four of the NFL season, the Broncos should sign players who are healthy and ready to play. In the end, similar to that of John Brown, if Tate were to be signed by the Broncos he would not ask for a big role and be the most familiar with Pat Shurmur’s offense.
2020 Stats: 45 Receptions for 388 Yards and two Touchdowns.
4. Phillip Dorsett
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At 28, although Phillip Dorsett has not reached his first-round potential throughout his NFL career. Dorsett's best seasons were in his last year with the Colts and Patriots. Most notably winning a Super Bowl in 2019. Dorsett a quick and agile receiver, was used as a deep threat and fit the mold of a Tom Brady receiver which if you don’t know would be categorized as a receiver who could be used in a multitude of ways and performed in any role whether he was the top receiver one night or made an impact play here or there. Having to nurse a foot injury last season with the Seattle Seahawks, Dorsett's potential can only be determined by his seasons with the Patriots. If the Broncos were to consider Dorsett, he wouldn’t have a big role similar to that of the players listed above but could be used as a deep threat and a productive receiver if healthy.
2019 Stats: 29 Receptions for 397 Yards and five Touchdowns.
5. Broncos Practice Squad Wide Receivers
Photo by Ben Swanson/Broncos Official Twitter
Lastly, the cheapest and most logical signing the Broncos can make to replace Hamler’s and Jeudy’s absence is to rely on the practice squad. The receivers on the practice squad as mentioned earlier and pictured above are rookie Seth Williams (#19), Rico Gafford (#80), Tyrie Cleveland (#16 on the right next to #10 Jerry Jeudy), and De’Mornay Pierson-El (#15 in the front and to the right of #11 Diontae Spencer).
The reason why the Broncos should promote one of these four receivers is that 1) They already know the offense, 2) You can immediately plug them in without having to wait for them to adjust to offense, and 3) The Broncos on Sept. 28th protected Tyrie Cleveland in the practice squad which signals he is a player the Broncos want to keep for depth and any “Knocks on Wood” unforeseeable injuries moving forward.
In my opinion, out of all of the available receivers in free agency or practice squads the Broncos should sign Golden Tate due to his familiarity with Pat Shurmur’s offense, eagerness to play, and experience. For now, look to the Broncos to rely on David Moore and the practice squad receivers to hopefully beat the Baltimore Ravens and enter Week Five 4-0.
