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

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 …

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