The Denver Broncos’ acquisition of Joe Flacco should help improve the quarterback position, but the team still has other areas that need addressing.
One such position to focus on is the receiving corps. Even though the Broncos still have Emmanuel Sanders on the roster, there is no clear indication when he will return – although, if you ask him, he will be back by Week 1.
As Sanders deals with his injury woes, Courtland Sutton is the only other proven commodity at the wideout spot. As such, here are three free-agent wide receivers Denver should consider signing.
1. Jamison Crowder (5-9, 177 pounds)
During the 2018 season, Crowder suffered an ankle injury in a Week 5 loss to the Saints, causing him to miss nine games. However, once Crowder returned to the field, his production increased. In his first four games of 2018, he averaged 33.5 yards per game with an average of 9.5 yards per catch. His numbers spiked up to 50.8 yards per game for an average of 17.3 yards per catch after his injury.
With the size Sutton provides as a possession target as well as being a threat in the red zone, Crowder could be the one helping stretch the field on vertical routes. In Crowder’s last full season of work, he proved to be a reliable target down the field with a 63.6 catch rate on deep passes, per Pro Football Focus.
2. John Brown (5-11, 178 pounds)
The 2018 campaign for Brown is an interesting one to break down as he had two quarterbacks responsible for his stat line. The first being none other than Joe Flacco, which is one reason why I can see the Broncos pursuing Brown in free agency. When Flacco was starting, Brown had 34 receptions for 601 yards, 17.2 yards per catch and four touchdown grabs. With Lamar Jackson as his quarterback for the remaining seven games, Brown’s numbers plummeted to a mere eight catches for 114 yards (an average of 12.7 yards per catch) and only one touchdown reception.
Brown was on pace for a career high in yards, touchdowns and would have likely eclipsed 60 catches for the second time in his career if Flacco had remained the starter. The change at quarterback in Baltimore clearly had a negative impact on Brown’s production. With Jackson cemented as the future of the franchise for the Ravens, I suspect Brown will leave in free agency. If Brown is able to reunite with Flacco, it could work wonders for his career and the success of the Broncos.
3. Adam Humphries (5-11, 195 pounds)
Last season for Humphries was similar to the aforementioned John Brown in that he too had multiple quarterbacks throwing passes his way. Unlike Brown, Humphries’ quarterbacks were being rotated like a game of musical chairs, which made for inconsistent production.
In full games Jameis Winston played, Humphries averaged 5.4 receptions per game, which is two more catches per game compared to when Ryan Fitzpatrick played all four quarters. Humphries also averaged 55.5 yards per contest with Winston under center, 15.5 more yards compared to when the bearded man was quarterbacking.
Assuming Flacco will provide stability at the helm for the Broncos, Humphries would be a consistent threat in the slot in Denver.
