Denver Broncos rookie wide receivers will need to step up
The Denver Broncos will need big contributions from their rookie WRs with Courtland Sutton injured.
The Denver Broncos have been snake-bitten by injuries in 2020, and one of the most deflating injuries took place in their game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Top wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who had already missed week one with a shoulder injury, was hurt trying to make a tackle on an interception and tore both his ACL and MCL.
From NFL Now: The #Broncos won't have QB Drew Lock for at least 2 weeks with a rotator cuff strain and they won't have promising WR Courtland Sutton (ACL) for the season. pic.twitter.com/2U7Xf4I77V
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2020
The Broncos had already lost Von Miller for the season not even two weeks ago with an ankle injury.
They’ve also lost running back Phillip Lindsay, cornerback AJ Bouye, and a host of others with injuries in the first couple of weeks of the season.
Who is actually going to be playing for this team?
With so many difficult injuries, it’s going to be tough for the Broncos to keep their ship afloat especially with an 0-2 start to the season, but they used three 2020 NFL Draft selections on wide receivers and they will need to see early return on those investments.
Jerry Jeudy
The Denver Broncos’ first-round pick in 2020 was former Alabama star and Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy is the Broncos’ team leader through two games with 15 targets in the passing game.
He’s proven himself early on as a dynamic route runner and threat after the catch as well.
Playing a lot out of the slot just like he did at Alabama, Jeudy should continue to progress and get better as the year goes along, so long as Jeff Driskel can accurately get him the football.
KJ Hamler
KJ Hamler was expected to be eased back into the rotation for the Denver Broncos following a hamstring injury that limited him for the majority of training camp, but he was unleashed in Pittsburgh to the tune of 48 snaps and he managed to get targeted seven times, finishing with three catches for 48 yards.
He also had a nine-yard rush on a nifty end-around play.
The Broncos are going to continue to find ways to get the ball into Hamler’s hands where he can make plays in space, what he does best.
Tyrie Cleveland
The Florida Gators put a bunch of receivers into the NFL in 2020, and Cleveland was a bit underrated coming out.
One of the best special teams players in the 2020 rookie class, Cleveland also runs good routes, knows his assignments, and plays tough.
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The Broncos will likely give Cleveland some additional reps with Sutton out, but the team also has more experienced guys like Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton factoring into the game plan.