10 Prospects to Bolster Broncos' Thin WR Room

The Denver Broncos are likely rebuilding their receiver room, and this is a good draft year to do it.

The Denver Broncos have options at wide receiver. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy could be traded, and Tim Patrick is unlikely to return on his current contract. 

The Broncos need to rebuild the room, but they don't have a concrete block to start with. There is hope that Marvin Mims Jr. could be that guy, but he left much to be desired as a receiver in 2023.  

The expectation is one of Sutton or Jeudy will be traded and the other one kept. Jeudy is entering the final year of his deal, while Sutton has two more years left. 

Analyzing the 2024 NFL draft class, it makes more sense for the Broncos to keep Sutton, as there are more options to replace Jeudy. But what are Denver's options to do so and bolster the room? 

Let's dive into 10 receivers and see who might be the best option.

Marvin Harrison Jr | Ohio State

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Harrison is considered the best receiver in the class, and some have him as the best player. He has a good blend of speed, size, and fluidity. His athleticism is clear and constant and makes his route running extremely smooth. 

While Harrison isn't a perfect prospect, most of my negatives are more nitpicky than anything. He's said to have sub-4.4 speed, but you don't see it consistently. I'd like to see more consistent run-after-the-catch ability from Harrison, and his work as a blocker leaves me wanting. 

However, Harrison's route running is excellent and filled with exceptional technique and nuance. The body control to adjust to the ball is elite, and he doesn't back down when dealing with physical corners. There's a reason he is projected to be a consensus top-5 pick, and if the Broncos want him, they'll have to pay to move up. 

Brian Thomas | LSU

© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

When watching Thomas, his quickness and explosion stand out. His change of direction is smooth with such a quick start/stop ability. He can sink his hips to ease his transitions and doesn't waste steps/movement. 

Thomas also has the long speed to challenge vertically. He tracks the ball exceptionally well and can run by most defensive backs. 

The concerns are about Thomas' limited route tree and how he was used at LSU, limiting his initial role in the NFL. I'd like to see more of a blend of the technique and athleticism that he shows and to see him use his size more consistently. 

The Broncos could use someone like Thomas to work alongside Mims. There's enough difference in their respective skill sets to make them work, but it can also strain defenses vertically. If the Broncos keep Sutton, Thomas would make even more sense as a trade-down option. 

Troy Franklin | Oregon

© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

There's great length with Franklin, but he lacks mass, and at times, you can see it being an issue with more physical corners. However, his speed can make life difficult, and he has good speed variance to get separation while also having the ability to make cuts without slowing down. 

Franklin's lack of mass will be an issue in the NFL, and will limit his role. It also can create some predictability for the offense, as he doesn't offer much as a blocker. His production has been streaky throughout his career, though 2023 cut back on the variance he had in 2022. 

The Broncos need to rebuild their room and can't be too picky. However, Franklin may not be the best option to add to the room because of his thin frame and blocking ability. Blockers are needed at the position for the Broncos. 

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

Devontez Walker | North Carolina

© Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Walker is a very intriguing option for the Broncos after a trade-down. He's a long strider who eats up ground quickly and can go up and high-point the ball. He has a dense build to his frame, and he has a decently developed route tree for the NFL. 

Walker knows how to attack zone coverages and can stack defenders when facing man coverage. When he gets the ball quickly, he can make defenders miss and pick up yards after the catch. He has the ability to be versatile with his usage because of his speed and quickness. 

Now, Walker leaves much to be desired as a blocker, and the Broncos need blockers. He must also develop more nuance with his routes and hide his route running tells for the NFL. There will also need to be work to improve the consistency of his hands and cut back the drops. 

Keon Coleman | Florida State

© Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Coleman is a big receiver with a great build. He has basketball in his background, and you can see it translated to the football field. His ability to box out defenders from the catch point is one of those translated basketball traits. 

During his college career, Coleman dealt with instability around him and performed well despite it all. You often hear height-weight-speed about receiver prospects, and Coleman is one of those. His body control is outstanding, and he has an elite catch radius that can make those circus catches. 

Now, Coleman isn't the most explosive, and, at times, he can be too high through his routes. There are also some issues with his change of direction and wasted steps in and out of breaks. However, if the Broncos end up needing to replace Sutton, Coleman would be a great option. 

Jermaine Burton | Alabama

© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best things about Burton is how easy he makes it look to be a receiver. What he does well seems effortless to him. He also has deceptive speed where he doesn't seem to be moving fast, but then you see him blow by the defensive back and get instant separation. 

Burton's routes have little nuance, and he isn't an overly creative route runner. The temperament must also be examined, as there are plenty of instances on tape where he seems to be getting a little hot. He plays physically and aggressively, which shows up consistently.  

Burton will likely test out well, but not great. However, he has a versatile skill set that can help the Broncos receiver room as a second option. If things check out with the temperament, Burton would be a good option if the Broncos pick somewhere in the second round, unless he falls. 

Xavier Worthy | Texas

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The track star background is transparent when watching Worthy. However, he's skinny, and that's also clear. 

This will lead to a very limited role in the NFL with how Worthy is used. He will be a deep-shot guy or an underneath yards-after-the-catch option. 

Burton's acceleration is, understandably, exceptional. He has excellent quickness and can make defenders miss in space. Moreover, he's still young and will be a 21-year-old rookie. 

With where Burton has his limitations and where his role will be in the NFL, Worthy doesn't make the most sense for the Broncos. There's a clash between what he and Mims would bring without enough of a difference to make them both work. 

Ja'Lynn Polk | Washington

© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Polk has good size and build on his compact frame, which can help him absorb hits. He plays tough over the middle of the field and doesn't get frightened when the hits come. His route running has good nuance, and he has good development with fakes to throw off defenders. 

What's more, Polk is a disciplined and effective blocker. He has good length and uses it quite well to win on the outside. 

There are issues with Polk's tempo through his routes, and his speed variance isn't great. Despite his willingness to be physical, he can get caught up in it when dealing with press coverage. 

While Polk doesn't have the outstanding speed to be an explosive threat, he is a reliable option that can work on the boundary or in the slot. His blocking still needs work, but a team would have an excellent foundation to build upon. If the Broncos move in the later second round, Polk would be a fine option. 

Brenden Rice | USC

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The son of Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice, Brenden is an electric playmaker who can also work on special teams as a returner. He's familiar with the area, starting his collegiate career at the University of Colorado before transferring to USC in 2022. 

Rice has a good catch radius and plays with the proper mentality that each target is his. He does well to protect the catch point and attacks the ball with his hands. His body control is good, and he has great quickness and good speed to work with. 

Rice's frame is a little light, and he could probably add more bulk to help protect his body at the NFL level. When getting off of press coverage, he makes it look like he is doing the tango with the defender instead of getting off the line, which can throw the timing off. Rice is too much like Mims for him to be much of an option. 

Ricky Pearsall | Florida

© Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

The final receiver has a smaller, lighter frame, but Pearsall has made some outstanding, stunning catches. He works so well from the slot and has elite quickness and suddenness to get separation in an instant.

Despite being smaller, Pearsall's catch radius is better than that of many receivers who are bigger than him. The expectation is he will jump out of the stadium during the combine. He brings exceptional versatility with where he lines up and what he brings to the passing game, as well as special teams as a returner or a gunner.

Now, Pearsall is quicker than fast, but you can work that into the Broncos receiver room. He's physical, but press coverage will disrupt his timing. Pairing him with Mims would be fine, but there would need to be that big-body option, which could still be Sutton. 

This is a great class for teams that need receiver help, and there are many options. The Broncos need to rebuild the room to look almost anywhere for help. 

The Broncos will likely be looking to build this room around Mims and one of Sutton or Jeudy, which limits the type of receiver they're looking for. There will be more clarity on the position over the coming months. 

---

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

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