Denver Broncos' Full Position Breakdown & Depth Chart Analysis at Wide Receiver

The Denver Broncos are likely to have a run-heavy offense in 2016. Even though the final stats may show them as having near a 50-50 split between the run game and passing game, it is going to seem run-heavy based on the pass-happy league we see on a weekly basis around the NFL.

This season, the Broncos will have a system true to what head coach Gary Kubiak likes to do.

Yes, it may seem conservative to run this type of offense, but it’s a proven system that can shorten the game and give an opponent less time and fewer options to get the win. The Broncos are built to run the ball, but when the passing attack is used, it can be not only effective, but also dangerous.

Here is the full position breakdown and depth chart analysis of the wide receivers on the Broncos roster.

Starters: Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Broncos have two star receivers to turn to when they go through the air. This dynamic duo put up astonishing numbers over the last two years with Peyton Manning running the show. Now, with the quarterback position in flux, we should see more modest numbers from Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

In 2015, Thomas had what some considered a “disappointing” 105-catch season. Dropped passes were the main reason for negative feelings about his 2015 season, and it also leads some to have trepidation about what Thomas can do this year.

He’s caught over 100 passes each of the last two seasons, but with more emphasis on the rushing attack, he may not be able to match those gaudy numbers. That doesn’t mean he won’t be effective. In fact, if Thomas can prove to be more consistent—cut down on the drops in key moments—then he should still be the leading receiver on this team and a dangerous weapon that defenses need to reckon with.

Thomas isn’t worried about the question mark at quarterback right now.

“We’re not worried. We’ve still got time. These guys are going to be fine. We’ve got playmakers around. The coaches will put them in the right situation.” Thomas smiled, “Of course, we’ve still got our great ‘D.’ It won’t be too bad.”

Sanders saw his numbers take a tumble a bit last year, but his importance to this offense might never be higher in 2016.

He went from catching 101 passes in 2014 to only snaring 76 catches in 2015. That number of catches is a realistic projection for where this offense should be when it comes to throwing the ball. Sanders may be more important this year because of his ability to make clutch catches. With Paxton Lynch likely to take over at some point this year, having Sanders as a security blanket will greatly help the rookie quarterback.

The Broncos are currently splitting all reps evenly between the three quarterbacks on the roster—Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and Lynch. They are trying to establish chemistry, and the Broncos don’t have a lot of time to build that bond between quarterback and receiver. That time is even shorter given the division of reps.

Sanders doesn’t think using multiple quarterbacks has been a problem in practice.

“It’s one of those things where it is what it is. The situation that we’re in, we have to handle accordingly. We’re not the first team that has ever dealt with a little quarterback controversy, but the thing is competition is always brings [sic] the best out of guys.” Sanders opined, “We’re going to see who the best guy is at the end of this process.”

Backup Receivers: Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Jordan Norwood

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The collection of receivers behind Thomas and Sanders is an interesting lot. This group includes a premium pick who has yet to play up to his potential, a former undrafted free agent who is an ascending talent and a seasoned veteran who can be reliable as a return man.

The Broncos moved up in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft to select Indiana’s Cody Latimer. While other second-round picks that year like Jarvis Landry (Miami Dolphins) and Allen Robinson (Jacksonville Jaguars) are tearing up the league, Latimer has a whopping total of eight catches and only one touchdown in two seasons.

He’s a physical receiver who wins at the point of the catch—in practice. Latimer had bad chemistry with Manning but better chemistry with Brock Osweiler. We’ll see if he can build chemistry with one of the new Broncos quarterbacks and if that translates to game-day production.

That same year, the Broncos picked up Bennie Fowler as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State. While Latimer came with the high draft status, Fowler had to impress as a college free agent—and impress he did.

Fowler is a tough receiver to bring down after the catch, and he has a fearless nature when running routes over the middle. In fewer games, Fowler has twice as many receptions (16) as Latimer. While Latimer has a lot to prove as a receiver on Sundays, Fowler looks like he just needs an opportunity to do more.

Jordan Norwood has bounced around the league since coming out of Penn State as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He found a home with the Broncos in 2014, and he set a record for the longest punt return (61 yards) in Super Bowl history. If he’s going to make the 53-man roster again, Norwood will have to stand out on special teams.

Sanders likes the group behind him.

“Cody is a baller. Bennie is a baller. Jordan Norwood is quick,” he said. “It’s going to be a unique wide receiver corps, and hopefully, we can keep making those splash plays like we did last year.”

Long Shots with Upside: Jordan Taylor, Bralon Addison, Mose Frazier, DeVier Posey, Kalif Raymond, Durron Neal, Dwayne Norman

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

A long shot is still a shot, and there are a few names to highlight from this group. They may be more likely to make the practice squad than the 53-man roster, but there’s talent that could emerge from deep on the depth chart.

Jordan Taylor was undrafted out of Rice last year, and he spent his rookie season on the Broncos practice squad. Not only did he work with the scout team in 2015, but Taylor caught passes from Manning as he recovered from the foot injury that knocked him out for almost seven games.

Manning was complimentary of Taylor more than once, and his endorsement is not without merit. Taylor has the speed to stretch the field and the athleticism to make difficult catches seem routine.

Bralon Addison has a chance to make the 53-man roster this year due to his electric ability as a return man. Undrafted out of Oregon this year, Addison has the quality of skill set to make it in the pros as a receiver. He’s quick in and out of his breaks and can leave defenders grasping for air in the open field. This serves him well as a slot receiver and kick returner.

Mose Frazier was one of Lynch’s favorite receivers in college at Memphis. Like Addison, Frazier was picked up by the Broncos as a college free agent this year. Frazier has reliable hands and can turn short catches into long gains. He may not break many tackles, but Frazier is tough for defenders to get a lock on because of his lateral agility. The Broncos may end up putting Frazier on the practice squad this year so he can further develop his route-running ability.

Behind those three, the rest of the receivers will have to stand out in a big way to even make the practice squad.

DeVier Posey is the most interesting of the remaining receivers to discuss. The veteran was a third-round pick by Kubiak and the Houston Texans in the 2012 NFL draft. He’s bounced around the league but has now been reunited with Kubiak in Denver. Posey is a good route-runner, but ankle and Achilles injuries have hampered his pro career.

Summary

The Broncos are set to lean on their ground game more than they did last year. That’s likely to limit the numbers from the passing attack. If Lynch wins the starting job—either to begin the season or eventually this year—the team will want to keep things simple for the rookie.

It will be a good thing for him to lean on the two star receivers on the roster.

Thomas is capable of catching 80-90 passes in this passing attack—even if it’s more conservative than it was with Manning slinging the rock. He needs to have better concentration this year, and it would greatly aid Lynch to have a consistent Thomas help move the chains.

Sanders can emerge as a leader on this offense. His fiery disposition and hyper-competitive nature can be infectious to his teammates around him. When the team is in crunch time, Sanders is the one who could make a big play at the right moment.

Fowler may be the player who emerges as the third target in the offense—even above any tight end the team may want to feature. There are plenty of question marks behind Thomas and Sanders, but Fowler has shown playmaking ability and could be in for a breakout season in 2016.

Latimer has to make the most of his opportunity this year. Even in a limited passing game, he needs to emerge as a better target for the offense. He’s a fine special teams player, but Latimer is unlikely to be a key piece for the future if he doesn’t show that he can produce on Sundays and not just in practice.

The Broncos' run game and defense are going to do the heavy lifting this season. They won’t need to air it out on offense if those two parts are working well. However, if the team needs to go through the air in order to stay in a game, it has the pieces necessary to be more potent than some think.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.