Denver Broncos: Ranking the team’s top 5 strengths

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Defensive end Derek Wolfe #95 of the Denver Broncos yells with a member of the armed forces during player introductions before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Defensive end Derek Wolfe #95 of the Denver Broncos yells with a member of the armed forces during player introductions before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after scoring a second-quarter six-yard touchdown on a pass play against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after scoring a second-quarter six-yard touchdown on a pass play against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

3. Wide Receiver

In 2017, the Denver Broncos’ wide receiver position was a mess.

Behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, the team had Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, and Jordan Taylor primarily competing for snaps.

Rookies Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie were expected to work their way into the rotation, but it never really happened for McKenzie and Henderson was placed on IR before the start of the season.

The Broncos didn’t have a viable third option behind Thomas or Sanders, so when both players struggled with injuries, the offense predictably stunk in that regard.

The Broncos had a hard enough time forcing the ball to Thomas and Sanders, and when they went down, throwing the ball was borderline out of the question.

Both players return healthy this season along with second-round pick Courtland Sutton, who was impressive at OTAs, and fourth-round pick DaeSean Hamilton, who was also impressive at OTAs.

In addition to those two being added to the mix, the Broncos will get Henderson back off of injured reserve, and McKenzie has had a year under his belt to learn. There are a number of other players competing for jobs on the back end of the roster at this very deep position for Denver.

The Broncos have more than six players who will be on NFL rosters at this position in 2018.

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