Finding Broncos: Two Wide Receivers to Improve the Position
The Denver Broncos have been missing a legitimate deep-threat receiver that can reliably take the top off of the defense since they traded Emmanuel Sanders to the 49ers a handful of years ago. Though they have a speed demon in KJ Hamler, his impact has been severely limited due to an onslaught of injuries. Finding a guy that can stretch the field vertically and horizontally is a significant need moving forward.
Trey Palmer | WR | Nebraska
Pros:
- Legitimate speed demon with track speed.
- Ran a 10.4-second 100-meter dash in high school.
- Speed variation throughout the route sets up dynamic take-off speed in the second and third gears.
- Tracks the ball well down the field.
- Constantly playing behind the defense in the passing game.
- Decent catch radius, making difficult catches look easy when sliding and diving to the turf.
- Gadget ability on jet sweeps, reverses, and screen plays.
- Slippery with the ball in his hands.
- Kick and punt return experience as a freshman at LSU with touchdown returns in both aspects.
Cons:
- Inconsistency catching the football cleanly frequently shows, with many bobbled footballs and 16 drops in the last two seasons.
- Not the cleanest route runner.
- Not much to offer as a blocker.
- He tries to dance too much rather than sticking his head down and taking what is given.
- He doesn't keep the red line as a route runner, unnecessarily squeezing himself to the sideline.
- Ball skills are hit-and-miss.
- He catches the ball with his body too frequently rather than snatching it reliably with his hands.
- Saw a lot of free releases, which brings to question his ability against press coverage.
- Finding soft spots in zone coverage is a significant weakness.
Overview:
Trey Palmer is a dynamic big-play creator that has lightning-like speed. His ability to change the game in the blink of an eye is incredible, and he has several explosive plays all over his tape. However, there is a severe rawness to his game as a route runner and a lack of physicality at times, leading to question how ready he is to enter the professional game immediately and be able to handle more challenging corners and close-quarters combat.
Palmer has his best chance for immediate success as a special teams player and deep threat for a vertical offense that features him out of the slot. He has some gadget ability and can take the ball to the house from any position on the field, so trying to manipulate defenses using jet motion, and screen plays can net some positive returns as he develops his route running tree and ability.
Fit with the Broncos:
Trey Palmer is an excellent fit for the Broncos and immediately fills one of the most significant needs on their offense. With the injury history that KJ Hamler has, Palmer would slide into that role and rotate through the room as needed. With Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy on the roster and likely seeing the lion's share of the reps, Palmer can come along slowly and develop while offering some game-changing ability as a return man and spot player offensively.
© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Puka Nacua | WR | BYU
Pros:
- He stacks defenders well and leverages them against his break direction, creating separation easily at the top of the stem.
- His body control, awareness, and balance on the boundary to keep his feet in bounds are incredible.
- He’s physical at the catch point and uses his hands to help open some separation.
- Jump ball skills are above average.
- Reliable hands that pluck the ball out of the air cleanly, never having more than three drops in a season.
- He tracks the ball cleanly and adjusts to throws rather well.
- Despite lacking top-end speed, he works well as a deep threat due to jump ball skills and physicality.
- Incredibly physical as a blocker.
- He is slippery with the ball in his hands and brings toughness as a runner.
Cons:
- Explosiveness and burst are lacking to elude man coverage.
- Long speed isn't necessarily an option, either.
- Needs more nuance in his route running.
- Linear athlete with high hips and poor change of direction ability.
- An upright play style can get him redirected at the stem of the route.
- He has inconsistent effort when he knows the play isn't coming his way.
- The release package is lacking.
- Press coverage bothers him a lot.
Overview:
Puka Nacua is a receiver with incredible ball skills and a knack for making the complex look effortless, especially working toward the sideline. He has impressive body control and sideline awareness, showing a penchant for keeping his feet in bounds and securing the catch. In addition, he is tough, physical, and skilled in contested catch situations, making him a viable jump ball threat down the field.
Though he lacks top-flight speed and change-of-direction ability, Nacua can succeed at the NFL level as a reliable option out of the slot while moving linearly down or across the field. He uses his nice frame to box out defenders pretty well and has smooth and reliable hands that catch nearly everything thrown in his direction.
Fit with the Broncos:
Puka Nacua isn't exactly what the Broncos are looking for in terms of a dynamic speed threat that can take the top off a defense. Still, his ability to win down the field with technique and physicality may be an enticing option later in the draft. In addition, Nacua can find some holes in zone coverage relatively easily, moving horizontally, which could be an excellent fit with the passing attack Sean Payton likes to deploy.
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