In the past two drafts combined, the Denver Broncos have used four picks on wide receivers, including two last weekend on Courtland Sutton (second round) and DaeSean Hamilton (fourth round).
“We needed some help at the wide receiver position and,” Elway said, “… the third wide receiver [position] was important to us.”cheap nfl jerseys from china
Because of the durability and production of Demaryius Thomas, who was chosen in the 2010 draft, the Broncos hadn’t been compelled to use picks on wide receivers. Then Emmanuel Sanders arrived in free agency in 2014 as Eric Decker left. Having Peyton Manning, who made most everything work, also helped.
But Elway and coach Vance Joseph have each said in recent weeks Thomas and Sanders are among the veteran players who need “to be better” in the coming season than they were in 2017.
Last season’s woes included: no reliable third option in the passing game, a lack of stability at quarterback, and Sanders missing four games with an ankle injury.
As a result, the Broncos scored more than 20 points just four times in their last 14 games. Thomas had his lowest output (83 catches, 949 yards) since 2011 and Sanders (47 catches, 555 yards) since 2012. Sanders also did not have a touchdown reception after Week 2.nfl jerseys cheap china
Last season’s draft picks — Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie — did not pan out as hoped. Henderson spent his rookie year on injured reserve (thumb), while McKenzie was benched multiple times for special-teams fumbles and had just four receptions.
Sutton and Hamilton will be counted on to break the cycle. Henderson is an unknown because of his injury, but he had been struggling in the offense before he was hurt in the preseason opener.
