Finding Broncos: Two Different Styled Wide Receivers to Improve Depth

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with two different styled receivers who can improve the depth.

With trade rumors swirling about Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy and the Denver Broncos being involved with multiple free-agent receivers, they clearly want to improve the room. This isn't a great class, and the Broncos aren't in a position to draft someone who will be an upgrade right away, but they can take advantage of the solid depth options in the class. 

Nathaniel "Tank" Dell | WR | Houston

Pros

• He has excellent short-area quickness and burst. 
• There is some experience working as a returner. 
• He is an electric receiver who is a big play threat whenever he has the ball in his hands. 
• There was excellent production over the last two seasons, with nearly 300 targets, 199 catches with over 2,700 yards, and 19 touchdowns. 
• While he didn't catch 50% or higher of his contested catches, he still did significantly better than you'd expect with his size. 
• He can get instant separation in his routes due to his burst. 
• He is hard to read as a route runner, giving next to no insight into what is coming. 
• Despite his size, he has good technique and footwork to get by press coverage instead of getting caught up. 
• He isn't a great blocker, but he gives effort. 
• His ball tracking is elite, and he can make great adjustments for the ball on deeper shots. 

Cons

• An undersized slot-only receiver who is well under weight minimum at 165 pounds. 
• Can his frame hold up to the beating it will take at the NFL level? 
• There isn't a lot of versatility with what he can bring to an offense. 
• There is an issue with drops, with 20 over the last two seasons, but the drop rate was low. 
• There are some issues with ball security with four career fumbles. 
• Due to his size, he doesn't have a great catch radius. 
• He doesn't run clean routes and rounds his breaks instead of crisp cuts. 

Overview

The issue with Dell is going to be his size. He measured in at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds at the NFL Combine, which is well below standards, even for slot-only receivers. While he does play bigger, that doesn't always translate to the NFL, where the game is bigger, faster, and stronger. His explosive play-making ability is excellent, and he can be a dangerous weapon, but can he stay healthy and out there on the field? 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos want explosive play-making ability from the receiver position, which Dell can bring. However, they will probably look at a receiver who can bring more size and not have concerns about their body being able to hold up. They took a shot on K.J. Hamler, who is undersized and light and hasn't been able to stay on the field. Would they be willing to take a shot on a similar player? 

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!

© Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

CJ Johnson II | WR | East Carolina

Pros

• He is a thick receiver with a good build on his frame. 
• While he didn't face tough competition consistently, he stepped up with great production when he did. 
• He uses his size well to box out defenders. 
• While he had 15 drops in his career, only four came in the last two seasons. 
• He is tough to bring down after the catch. 
• His transition from receiver to ball carrier is quick and smooth. 
• There is a good football IQ to read coverages and find the soft spot in zone coverages. 
• He does well in tracking the ball and works back towards it to make the catch. 
• He has a good catch radius and isn't afraid of taking a hit when securing the ball. 
• There is experience working as a gunner on special teams, where he did well. 

Cons

• He doesn't have much suddenness or burst to get instant separation. 
• Ball security was an issue, with four fumbles in his career. 
• As a result of the issues getting separation, he dealt with many contested catches, where he was successful on only 43% of them in his career. 
• He is easy to match and mirror in coverage for defensive backs. 
• There can be more nuance with his route running to try and help ease the issues with his lack of suddenness. 
• There isn't a lot of versatility with him on offense, as he lacks the speed to challenge vertically. 

Overview

CJ Johnson II is a big, well-built receiver who carries his 224 pounds exceptionally well on his 6-foot-1 frame. He uses his size well as a receiver to protect the catch point. However, he struggles to get separation, and his success in contested catch situations was not nearly good enough. In addition, there isn't a lot of versatility with his role on offense, likely finding himself as a possession receiver. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos can go multiple ways to improve their receiver room. They need someone who can bring a reliable explosive play-making ability to the room. Johnson doesn't fit that mold, but he can raise the room's floor and give them a reliable depth target. If they move on from Courtland Sutton, Johnson would make even more sense, but if they keep Sutton, Johnson could be a developmental option to replace him eventually. 

---

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!