Wide Receivers Grade: A
Tight Ends Grade: C+
Last week heading into the Bengals game, wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas wanted the ball more thrown their way. Both players cannot gripe anymore, as Sanders and Thomas had a touchdown each in the game proving to be great targets for both Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch. Sanders had eight catches and 88 yards and Thomas had six catches for 94 yards.
The Broncos have proven the wide receiving corps is better than it has in the last couple years. Jordan Taylor added a catch today, but Bennie Fowler dropped a pass thrown by Lynch. Fowler’s drop brings the grade for the wide receivers from an A to and A-. Call it nit picking, but the Broncos will need to clean up that area (and they will) for them to perform against tougher opponents.
Coming into today’s game the Denver Broncos were expected to utilize a bigger role for Jeff Heuerman, but against the Buccaneers he had one catch for 19 yards. John Phillips saw action in the offense as well with the loss of Virgil Green and did not catch a pass unlike Heuerman. Both players left a lot to be desired but did enough to help the team earn a victory.
Heuerman with another catch in consecutive weeks could see his role in the offense expand over time. The Broncos have been lacking in tight end production since Julius Thomas. They have steady performers after Thomas, but do not have a player with big play ability. Today, lacked in that department, but look for the Broncos to mix and match which player is best for an opponent.
If Heuerman and Phillips are not the backup option next to Green, the Broncos will need to sign a veteran like Owen Daniels or call up Henry Krieger-Coble from the practice squad to add the punch on offense. In the Buccaneers game, there was a lot to be desired, but nothing to show for it. The tight ends deserve a C+ grade.