3 Mid-Round WRs to Finish Room Rebuild

The Broncos could be looking for interior depth on the offensive line, and these two options could be available.

Dec 22, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Javon Baker (1) catches a pass for a / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos have begun the process of rebuilding their receiver room. They traded away Jerry Jeudy, reworked Tim Patrick's contract, and brought in Josh Reynolds on a two-year deal. Even with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims as well, the Broncos still could use more help.

While the Broncos receiver room's short-term outlook looks solid, its long-term outlook is less promising. Reynolds signed a two-year contract, with Sutton having two years left, and is still circulating in trade rumors. Then you have Patrick for 2024 and Mims needing to take a large step forward on offense.

This is an excellent receiver class, and the Broncos should look to it to help improve the team's future outlook. There is depth throughout the class, and one of these three receivers could be an option to round out the room.

Nov 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Javon Baker (1) catches a pass in / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Javon Baker | Kansas State

• Height: 6-foot-1
• Weight: 202 pounds
• Arm Length: 32-1/4 inches
• Hands: 9-5/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 7.77

Pros

Baker has good size, with a good build on his frame. He has good strength to his game, and does well to use his frame to protect the catch point against tight coverage. This ability helped him be successful with good consistency in contested catch situations.

His route running shows good nuance and development. He knows how to vary his speed and has good burst to create instant separation. There is good development with his routes already, and with some minor improvements, he could become a great route runner in the NFL.

When things go off-script, Baker does a great job of making himself a target. He knows how to keep himself in the quarterback's eyes and works to find an opening to make himself a target for the quarterback to get the ball out.

Watching his routes gives a natural feel, and it all seems easy and effortless for him. His ability to get and sustain leverage against defenders is excellent. He looks to pluck the ball out of the air and shows exceptional ball tracking at every level of the field.

Cons

His hands have moments of unreliability, and this mostly stems from him looking to make a play before he secures the catch. There is also an issue with how he will finish his routes, which doesn't help the issues with his hands.

Baker must slow things down at the end and not rush the rest of the play or the catch process. He is a high-energy player, and that can be more difficult to do. Maintaining the level of focus he has with his routes until the whistle could help lessen those issues.

There are times when he will ease back on being more of a physical type receiver. You want to have that consistently, especially on the boundary where the inconsistency shows up the most. It is like he eases up some because the boundary is there in case he makes a slight mistake. This is also an issue when it comes to blocking, where the desire and technique are both lacking.

Fit With Broncos

The Broncos and Baker are a good fit together. His route running could provide a boost to the receiver room, and with the room's short-term outlook, they don't have to rush Baker onto the field. They can use him as a depth piece, utilizing his route running over the middle to add to the offense.

Big Board Position: No. 73 overall.

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Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Devontez Walker / Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Devontez Walker | UNC

• Height: 6-foot-1.5
• Weight: 193 pounds
• Arm Length: 33-1/4 inches
• Hands: 9-1/8 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.92

Pros

There is exceptional speed and pacing in his routes that can make him a devastating deep threat. He knows how to get leverage against defenders, and lull them to sleep before bursting by to take the top off of the defense.

His big play ability is highlighted by his 16.8 yards per reception average in his career, and 30.7 yards on his touchdown catches. He is a long strider that eats up space quickly, making it difficult for defenses to give him a cushion to help protect the deep ball.

Walker is a long limbed receiver, and he can use that length to high point the ball and extend his catch radius. He can also work on certain short routes, mainly slants, where he uses his body to frame out defenders.

Cons

While drops weren't significant on tape, they were prevalent, and the concern was heightened by a poor week at the Senior Bowl. However, the biggest concerns are all technical and a big reason he is viewed as a one-dimensional receiver as a deep threat only.

Walker's footwork makes life more difficult for himself as a receiver. There isn't much ability there with routes outside of the go-route. He struggles to sink his hips in and out of breaks and will round them out, giving defenders an opening to jump the route.

Walker doesn't play physical in any element, including as a blocker. When working specific routes, Walker doesn't work back to the ball and will wait for the ball to come to him, creating an opening for defenders to make a play. The catch strength isn't great, making it difficult to secure catches and leading to some of the drops that are there on tape.

Fit With Broncos

The Broncos can use additional playmakers on offense, and they are not in a position to be choosey. However, Walker is a limited receiver who can bring that big play ability, but not much else. There is a lot of work that would need to be done to make him more effective. There is a specific scheme that can help Walker be more effective, and it isn't the one the Broncos employ.

Big Board Position: No. 98 overall.

Nov 24, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) catches a / Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Gould | Oregon State

• Height: 6-foot-4
• Weight: 303 pounds
• Arm Length: 31-1/2 inches
• Hands: 10 inches
• Relative Athletic Score: 8.83

Pros

Anthony Gould has elite speed that can be utilized on deep shots, working underneath, and making something happen. His burst and acceleration are also elite, and they are part of what makes him such a threat off the snap, and they can make it difficult for defenders to cover in man coverage.

There is good ball-tracking at all levels of the field. He knows how to adjust to make the catch, make himself a target off-script, or find the soft spot in zone coverage. The overall route running has a good foundation to build at the NFL level.

Gould can also immediately impact as a rookie with his ability as a returner on special teams. He has the speed but also the quickness, agility, and vision to be a threat. There are many ways Gould can impact the game, both on offense and on special teams.

Cons

There isn't a great frame with Gould, and the lack of size is a significant detriment. He doesn't have a large catch radius and can struggle to make catches that are not right on the chest. On top of that, contested catch situations do not go in his favor.

Gould will be a slot-only receiver with some gadget ability to make an impact on offense. To be more effective as a receiver, he will need to improve his route running, which would need to start with his footwork.

For as fast and agile as he is, Gould isn't the most fluid mover. This can create issues with the ball in his hands on offense and a returner.

Fit With Broncos

Gould can be a playmaker, and his speed would be electric and welcomed on any offense in the NFL. Speed is never a bad thing to have. However, the way you would use Gould is essentially the same way the Broncos should be using Marvin Mims, which can lead to issues utilizing them both on the field simultaneously. It isn't impossible, but it can make things more difficult.

Big Board Position: No. 109 overall.

Better Fit for Broncos

Of these three receivers, Baker would make the most sense for the Broncos. He provides what the Broncos need both short-term and long-term. The fits of Walker and Gould are rougher, but they could still be made the work. However, the issue is that part of why the Broncos moved on from Jerry Jeudy was to create opportunities for Marvin Mims. Both Walker and Gould would only re-create the issue that was clear

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