2018 Broncos' Season, Wide Receiver Prevew

Training Camp in Dove Valley is open, and the pre-season is just weeks away. so now is the time to start looking at this Broncos squad. In a series of pieces I'll be looking at each position group prior to the start of the pre-season. Today I'm looking at the wide receivers.

Players: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Isaiah McKenzie, Jordan Taylor, Mark Chapman, River Cracraft, Corey Brown, Kenny Bell, Jordan Leslie, Tim Patrick, John Diarse, and Carlos Henderson

2018 Outlook: At this time last year it was a familiar group among receivers. But what a difference a year makes. Gone is Bennie Fowler, who had talent but never really locked into a meaningful role, and gone is Cody Latimer, the high draft pick who never really found his way among the receivers. Also seemingly gone is last year's third round pick, Carlos Henderson. He didn't play last season and was arrested in January. Still, there was some thought and hope he'd be a contributor this season. But the Broncos moved on in the draft, nabbing Sutton and Hamilton, and Henderson wasn't really a part of the team in mandatory mini camp due to another injury, something that got him called out by coach Vance Joseph. My impression for months has been that he won't make the team, and now he hasn't even reported for training camp. He's not even technically on the roster. So it seems his time with the Broncos will end before it began. But enough about who is not here, let's think about who is here. Thomas and Sanders remain the top of the heap, and Sutton and Hamilton are sure to make the roster. The Broncos will keep at least six receivers, maybe seven, so that leaves a lot of guys vying for just a few spots. I believe McKenzie will make the team, too, so that likely leaves one guaranteed spot. Taylor is the veteran, but he's banged up and hardly a lock. The Broncos have seen some good things from Cracraft, and recently signed the top CFL pick in Chapman, so it will be interesting to see how this group fills out.

Key Question: Who is the third receiver? The Broncos have lacked a solid third receiver probably since the time of Wes Welker. And in Sutton and Hamilton, they have their receivers of the future. But I think one will be the receiver of 2018, too. But who? Hamilton figures to be a slot receiver, so he could fit in there. Sutton would likely line up outside, pushing Sanders into the slot. Either way, it will be interesting to see which one of those two, or perhaps another receiver, steps up to grab such a crucial role in the offense. Or, perhaps, the rookies will team to be WR3 depending on match ups.

Prediction: I think five slots are essentially locks in Thomas, Sanders, Sutton, Hamilton and McKenzie. And I think given this roster, the Broncos only keep six receivers. I have long loved Taylor and the way he works hard, but I think the Broncos are ready to move on from the under achieving group that filled out the roster the past few years, and I'm intrigued by one of the younger guys getting a shot.