KJ Hamler can win Denver Broncos slot job as rookie in 2020
2020 NFL Draft pick KJ Hamler can win the Denver Broncos slot job in 2020.
Penn State star receiver KJ Hamler only played two seasons for the Nittany Lions before declaring himself eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft, but he established himself as one of the most explosive playmakers in college football in that time.
The Denver Broncos spent a second-round pick on Hamler after using their first-round pick on Jerry Jeudy, marking the first time in team history they had used two straight picks to open a draft on the wide receiver position.
Hamler’s selection came as a surprise to just about everyone, but thinking about the possibilities the Broncos now have with all of Hamler, Jeudy, and 2019 Pro Bowl receiver Courtland Sutton on the field at the same time?
It’s scary for opposing defensive coordinators.
Hamler’s speed and burst are unreal
Hamler was unable to work out at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine with a hamstring injury, and the Broncos are perhaps silently grateful for that.
In a deep wide receiver class, it’s possible that Hamler would have contended with Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III as the fastest player in the entire draft.
Although Hamler was dinged by some analysts for rounding off routes, he has tremendous speed, burst, and short-area quickness to create separation despite his smaller stature.
The way Hamler is able to change direction and accelerate upfield is absolutely unreal.
He is an absolute nightmare to cover in the slot, which is where he could make his greatest mark for the Denver Broncos in 2020.
Second-year quarterback Drew Lock will have plenty of mouths to feed in general, but a player like Hamler deserves manufactured touches on a weekly basis because of the fact that his speed makes him a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is always going to have the threat between the 20s of Hamler as a slot taking a slant pass or running a vertical route, and inside the red-zone, he will have the slot fade at his disposal at all times.
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Hamler has a chance to be a tremendously impactful rookie for the Broncos because his speed simply cannot be covered consistently one-on-one, and he’s going to get a fair share of one-on-one opportunities.