Broncos Draft Prospects: Missouri WR Bud Sasser
The Denver Broncos’ need for a wide receiver isn’t overly apparent, considering there are about 30 guys competing for jobs on the roster right now, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be looking to upgrade their talent at the position, even with a big three of Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Cody Latimer.
Because, you just never know what might happen.
The Broncos might be looking to upgrade on Andre Caldwell or the fifth receiver spot. Maybe contract talks with Demaryius Thomas aren’t going as well as they’d hoped, and bringing in another receiver is just some insurance.
Whatever the case, the Broncos have talked to or brought in a number of receiver prospects in this year’s draft, including Missouri’s Bud Sasser, per a report from Mike Klis of The Denver Post.
Sasser is a relatively unknown player at this point but had a breakout senior season with the Tigers, eclipsing 1,000 yards with 12 touchdowns.
I had to really dig for game tape of Sasser, but I ended up watching him play against Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl and there were a few things that stood out to me. First of all, Sasser does a great job adjusting to the ball. At Missouri, Maty Mauk isn’t exactly Andrew Luck out there, and the dual-threat QB doesn’t throw the prettiest ball or tightest spiral.
He made one catch in the Minnesota game on a go-route to the end zone where he had to completely shift his direction, flip his hips, and make a catch over his back shoulder for a touchdown expecting the ball to be thrown inside. It was a phenomenal catch, and Sasser made it look pretty easy.
For a guy coming out of the SEC, Sasser is not getting nearly the publicity he ought. He looks like a really good route runner with soft hands. He also does a really good job most of the time catching the ball away from his body and working defensive backs underneath.
I think early on in his NFL career, Sasser could contribute to an offense due to his advanced route running and playmaking ability, but down the road he could wind up being a gem from this draft class.
He’ll be picked in the later rounds or as a priority free agent, but this is a guy that definitely should get drafted. The Broncos have a habit of noticing guys like this.