Ryan Switzer: Exactly What Denver Broncos need
The offense of the Denver Broncos struggled all year on third down. But in the NFL Draft, one candidate from North Carolina helps immediately in that area.
Gone are the days of Brandon Stokley and Wes Welker in an up-tempo, adapt to the players offense. However, in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos may make a splash at wide receiver by drafting a third weapon to move the chains.
The Broncos placed at second to the bottom in converting on third down registering 34.25%. This ranks them with the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams.
All the wide receivers currently at the third WR under-performed the past few seasons. Cody Latimer improved the latter part of the year in 2015 and 2016, but the lack of consistency is troubling for him and the rest the group.
Bennie Fowler has size and talent to be the third receiver, but his dependability is worrisome as well. Jordan Taylor, like Fowler measures well to be the third target, but he fails to see the field.
Ryan Switzer fills the need offensively as a playmaker that can contribute right away. Switzer’s body movement favors the likes of Welker and Julian Edelman.
Edelman arguably is the best slot receiver at his position, while Welker may be best at his position ever.
Switzer is shifty and crafty as a route runner. His routes are precise, clean and sharp. In fact, Switzer is most polished route runner in this year’s NFL Draft. The footwork of Switzer is equally impressive to his route. If the footwork is not crisp, the sharpness on his routes is not clean.
Bottom line: there is no weakness in Switzer as a slot receiver. Next to John Ross III of the Washington Huskies, he is the move-the-chains weapon in this draft. There will be pained Broncos fans if they do not add a wide receiver in the draft, myself included.
Certainly the Broncos the future involving Kalif Raymond both as a receiver and special teams threat, but in this NFL Draft they cannot ignore the talent. Switzer checks the boxes on the offensive side the ball, while Raymond is the primary returner barring anything in free agency. However, on special teams Switzer is an upgrade over anything on the current roster right now.
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Switzer is tied for second on the all-time punt return touchdowns list with seven. Yes, higher than NFL great Devin Hester who totaled four at his time with the Miami Hurricanes. Welker himself is tied for first with eight while he was with Texas Tech. Fact is, Switzer is an explosive runner as wide receiver and returner.
The Broncos would not just add an offensive threat, but potentially the most dynamic player in the draft. Expectation is round three to four in my opinion, but I would not be surprised to see him sneak into the second round. He is that good.