Denver Broncos Player/Position Grades Post Houston Texans

Aug 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) pulls in his second touchdown reception between past Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) late in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sportss

Wide Receiver

Demaryius Thomas: A-

Emmanuel Sanders: A

Wes Welker: B

Andre Caldwell: B+

Cody Latimer: B

Isaiah Burse: B-

Bennie Fowler: B

Nathan Palmer: C

Overall: B+

The Texans game was Sanders’ coming out party. He racked up 5 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. After him the WR’s struggled a bit. Thomas, who was Manning’s favorite target the first two games, was targeted only once. Though he didn’t get to show his receiving skills, something he doesn’t really need to do anymore, he displayed excellent blocking. Welker had a drop, but in the long-term scheme of things, was probably for the best. He had a couple nice catches, but ended up leaving the game with a concussion, his third in a ten month span. Caldwell caught both passes that went his way, but what left me impressed was his blocking. He looks like he improves that aspect week after week. Latimer had a rare drop in the game, something he does not do in practice according to John Elway. He was also the target on the Osweiler pick, but fault isn’t in Latimer. The drop hurt his grade some, but other than that he looked really good to bounce his grade back up some.

Everyone knows by now Jordan Norwood is out with an ACL, so the spot for a returner is wide open. Isaiah Burse is the man to potentially fill it, but the spot is not being handed to him. He has to earn it. He made the steps needed to against the Texans, but has to really shine against the Dallas Cowboys in order for him to take the spot 100%. Fowler had a rough game as a blocker, but looked really strong as a receiver. It was reported early in training camp that Fowler has chemistry with QB Brock Osweiler and it has been on display during the preseason games. I am a little surprised to see that Nathan Palmer is still around. He doesn’t really get the targets on offense, but what he does do is show up on special teams. He hasn’t been used as a returner but as a special teams player has looked really good this preseason.