The Denver Broncos could be getting a significant boost from a little-known practice squad call-up in wide receiver Hunter Sharp…
The Denver Broncos may have a gem on their hands in wide receiver/return specialist Hunter Sharp.
Sharp was signed to the Broncos’ practice squad after getting caught in a numbers game with Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Cody Latimer, Isaiah McKenzie, and Jordan Taylor taking the top roster spots with the team.
The Broncos even put rookie Carlos Henderson on IR before final cuts, presumably to keep as much talent around as possible.
One player they had to simply hope wouldn’t get away was Sharp, who participated this offseason as not only a receiver but a punt returner. Head coach Vance Joseph said Sharp will be in the mix as a returner this weekend against the Chargers, but this guy is a playmaker as a receiver, too.
Remember this?
Perfect throw. #GBvsDEN https://t.co/szGxypMotM
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 27, 2017
That wasn’t the only play Sharp made in the preseason, either. He impressed wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert on a number of occasions, even evoking some Twitter praise from his position coach. Not only once, but twice. Here’s the second tweet from Tolbert praising his young playmaker:
@Hunter_A_Sharp made some nice catches for 1st downs vs. 49ers! #BroncosCountry https://t.co/WcoEb6DJBD pic.twitter.com/KltN16u6hD
— Tyke Tolbert (@CoachTykeT3) August 20, 2017
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Indeed, Sharp made some nice plays in general in that game against the 49ers, including a 17-yard punt return in addition to his multiple first-down catches.
As a matter of fact, over the course of the pre-season, Sharp was the Broncos’ highest graded wide receiver, and highest graded skill player (non-QB or offensive line) by Pro Football Focus’ grading system.
Sharp is playing this weekend in front of a home crowd. He’s a native of Palmdale, California, and played his first couple years of college ball at Antelope Valley Junior College in Lancaster, California.
The pressure will be on as Sharp takes the field in front of many who watched earlier portions of his football journey, and he’ll now have the chance to make plays in a regular season game and help the Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers in a critical divisional game.
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As you can see, this is more than just a fill-in type of player. This guy’s got some serious skill.