Finding Broncos: 5 QBs and WRs for Depth Competition

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a group of quarterbacks and wide receivers to bring competition among the depth players.

While Denver Broncos have improved their roster, they still need depth at a few positions. They added a backup quarterback but still can use competition for the third spot. There is also a need for additional depth competition at wide receiver. 

Chase Brice | QB | Appalachian State

© David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He has solid size with a big build on his frame. 
• He delivers a catchable ball with good touch. 
• There is decent enough arm strength to make all of the throws. 
• He is smart and does well going through his reads. 
• There is consistency in protecting the ball with his placement. 

Cons

• There isn't great arm strength, and there will be issues consistently challenging deep. 
• There is a higher rate than desired of plays that could result in a turnover. 
• He struggles to escape pressure in the pocket, with a high rate of pressures turning into sacks. 
• There isn't great security with the ball in the pocket. 

Fit with Broncos

Brice is an intelligent quarterback who can work as the third quarterback. His arm isn't wholly handicapping for an offense, though there isn't enough to attack vertically consistently. He can fit with the Broncos and bring good competition for that third quarterback spot. 

Malik Heath | WR | Ole Miss

© Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He has good length with a great build on his frame. 
• There is good tempo and urgency with his route running. 
• He has a good catch radius. 
• His hands are strong and reliable, with only 10 drops over three years. 

Cons

• He isn't a great athlete. 
• The lack of speed and burst led to issues getting consistent separation. 
• With his inability to get separation, he struggles to secure contested catches, with only a 36.1 catch percentage. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos need depth but are looking for more explosion from the position. Heath can provide that developmental depth but doesn't give that explosive ability. 

What happens next on the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Please take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Holton Ahlers | QB | East Carolina

© Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He has a good build and good size for the NFL. 
• He has exceptional experience with five years as a starter. 
• He does well going through his reads with timing. 
• There is plenty of arm strength to make NFL throws. 
• He showed a significant improvement in accuracy for 2022. 

Cons

• He is a poor athlete. 
• He has a long windup with his throwing motion. 
• The footwork is a complete mess. 
• The accuracy and placementares up and down. 
• There isn't much there to get out of the pocket. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos can use a third quarterback option, and Ahlers wouldn't be a bad fit with the scheme. However, he may not have the athleticism at the position the Broncos may be looking for. 

Jaray Jenkins | WR | LSU

© SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pros

• He has a good build on his compact frame. 
• He has good hands, with only nine drops over four seasons. 
• There is good usage of his size to block off defenders. 
• There is good leaping ability to extend his catch radius. 

Cons

• There isn't great experience, with only 89 catches in his career. 
• He lacks burst and speed, struggling to create separation. 
• He doesn't do well enough in contested catch situations to compensate for the speed and burst issues. 
• There isn't much there for after the catch. 

Fit with Broncos

Jenkins has the making to develop into a solid possession receiver. However, he doesn't have the burst for separation, so he would need to improve securing contested catches for the NFL. The Broncos are looking for explosive, and Jenkins doesn't fit that, but he can be a solid developmental guy. 

Tanner Morgan | QB | Minnesota

© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He does have solid mobility and works well on play-action. 
• He is willing to take hits when delivering the ball. 
• He does have solid timing going through his reads. 
• There is good touch on his passes to deliver a catchable pass. 

Cons

• He is a poor athlete and a little undersized for the NFL. 
• He doesn't have an NFL-caliber arm, and college defenses don't respect it. 
• He doesn't protect the ball well in the pocket. 
• Defensive backs can easily bait him. 

Fit with Broncos

There isn't much upside with Morgan, but there is a chance he can develop into a decent third option. He can work in the Broncos scheme, but the aggressiveness must be toned down. 

With the few draft picks they have, adding a third quarterback isn't a major priority, but they could look to add someone as an undrafted free agent. Wide receiver is a different story, as the Broncos have made it clear they want to upgrade the room. 

---

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel.

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!