With the second week of camp coming to an end and the first preseason game on the horizon, all eyes have been on the quarterbacks. But what about the wide receivers and tight ends — you know, the guys who can help the quarterbacks this season?
Broncos Country and Broncos pass catchers have been the beneficiaries of the great Peyton Manning, but this year that luxury is gone. Now, it’s time for the wide receivers to help the quarterbacks, rather than the other way around, as it’s been the last four years.
There are two givens when it comes to the WR group: Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are No. 1 and 2 on the depth chart. Some would argue that Sanders has earned the title of “one,” but I would disagree, and honestly does it really matter? Both will be on the field as much as possible to help whichever quarterback it is that wins the job. Another given, at least for me, is that Bennie Fowler will be the third WR on the depth chart and could be a big weapon for the Broncos this season.
Fowler could also be a big sleeper in fantasy leagues this season, as well. I’m not a big “fantasy guy,” because my world already revolves around sports; therefore, my fantasies tend to take me elsewhere. But we know DT and Sanders will command attention, and most likely double teams, which means that Fowler will find himself with one-on-one coverage more often than not.
Fowler, the 25 year old who played at Michigan State, showed up for camp not only in shape but bigger and what appears to be a touch faster than last season.
Here’s a good way to win a beer bet a bar: Ask a fellow patron who caught Peyton Manning’s last pass and tell them you will give them three guesses. Bennie Fowler may come up around guess five or six but not one through three. He is, however, the man who caught “P-Money’s” last pass, as Fowler refers to Manning. My point, Bennie Fowler will be the third WR for the Broncos and a good pick up late in your fantasy draft.
The next three guys fighting for what could be two spots on the 53-man roster are Jordan Norwood, Cody Latimer and Jordan “Sunshine” Taylor. The Broncos could keep six WR’s on the roster, which would mean all three could make the squad, but if not one will be the odd man out.
Sunshine, as he is known by, has the catch of camp. He went full Odell Beckham Jr — if you have not seen it yet, please get out from under your rock and live a little. He was last year’s training camp darling for a brief stint as well, too. Let’s see what he has in the NFL.
Norwood is small but lightning fast and is a threat as a returner if there is a such thing in today’s NFL. I like Norwood and like the threat on special teams; it’s not something you can count on, but when you can make a play on special teams, it can be the difference between winning and losing. Jordan Norwood will make the team.
That leaves Cody Latimer. Latimer has struggled in his first couple of years in the NFL. Some call it lack of knowledge when it came to the playbook and others mentioned his work ethic at times. If the Broncos decide to only keep five wide receivers this year, Latimer will be the odd man out.
Good news is that camp is only a couple of weeks in and there is a lot of time for every player to make a play, have a day, have a week and change it all.