5 Prospects to Rebuild Broncos' WR Room
With the recent news that the Denver Broncos have traded Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for a pair of Day 3 selections, a new face could be added to the wide receiver room. Denver retained Tim Patrick on an incentive-laden contract restructure.
Still, Patrick's recent injury history leaves many question marks at wide receiver, especially with Courtland Sutton's future still somewhat uncertain. Once again, the NFL draft features a stellar class of pass catchers.
Let's examine five wideouts who could be had later in the class.
Johnny Wilson | Florida State
Jacob Cowing | Arizona
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint | Georgia
Joshua Cephus | UTSA
Jha'Quan Jackson | Tulane
Pros
A straight-line speed threat, Jackson possesses explosive speed from the slot that instantly places defenders in conflict. He has good lateral quickness, making him tough to pin down as a coverage defender.
Jackson can easily stack defenders playing in off-coverage and blow by them with smoothness and acceleration at the stem of his route. He projects as a slot receiver in the type of creative offenses that utilize choice routes over the middle of the field, and he brings explosive punt return ability to the fold.
Cons
Though he is built thick in his frame, Jackson is a tiny player. Despite his lateral quickness, he lacks the nuance to set up defenders to create separation consistently when working toward the sidelines and relies on his athleticism more than technique.
Jackson has rarely seen press coverage as he was constantly lined up off the football and is easily redirected throughout his routes. Though he has gadget capabilities, what is coming with him is easily noticeable based on his formation alignment and stance pre-snap.
My Grade: Round 6
Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 116
The Takeaway
Again, what happens with Sutton remains to be seen, given his contract situation. There are rumblings that he could be retained, even on his current deal.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton both raved about Marvin Mims Jr.'s potential at the Combine a couple of weeks ago, and Patrick could provide a big boost if he is fully healthy after suffering a torn ACL and Achilles in back-to-back seasons.
That said, Rosemy-Jacksaint profiles as a quality replacement and developmental player for either Sutton or Patrick in Payton's offense. Rosemy-Jacksaint's blocking proficiency and willingness to get physical at the point of attack project well to the next level, though his athletic ability will leave some teams wanting more.
He's good enough as a route runner and has reliable hands to work in contested catch situations as a possession receiver over the middle of the field.
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