Denver Broncos: What type of impact can Philly Brown have?
The Denver Broncos are reportedly expected to sign wide receiver Philly Brown if all goes well with a physical. What type of impact can he have?
The Denver Broncos placed wide receivers Carlos Henderson and Jimmy Williams on the ‘Reserve/Did Not Report’ list and along with Jordan Taylor still not fully healthy after offseason hip surgery, the team is looking at some interim replacements.
Some might have a chance to stick longer than others.
The first reported signing for the Broncos, which has since been confirmed by the team, was former Central Michigan wide receiver Mark Chapman, who was an undrafted free agent after April’s NFL Draft but became the number one overall pick and most coveted prospect in the 2018 CFL Draft.
After being drafted by the CFL’s Hamilton Tigercats, Chapman attended minicamp with the New York Giants but didn’t make the team.
Contract negotiations ended in a stalemate with Chapman and the Tigercats, and just ahead of training camp the Broncos came calling.
The team might also be calling a more established NFL player.
Corey Brown, also known as Philly Brown, played from 2014-2016 with the Carolina Panthers before he became a free agent in 2017 and signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Brown never played for the Bills, but he did make an impact in his time with the Panthers.
Brown’s impact was especially felt in 2015 when he caught 31 passes for 447 yards and four touchdowns.
He also added 10 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 2015 NFC Championship run, which ended in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.
In that game, Brown was the only Panthers offensive player to come away from that game feeling like he did a really good job.
He caught four passes for 80 yards in the Super Bowl and unfortunately wasn’t the same player after that game.
His effectiveness diminished in 2016 and the Panthers let him go after the season.
What can he bring to the table for the Broncos?
At his best, Brown can be an extremely capable number four or five receiver with the ability to contribute on special teams as a returner.
He returned 16 punts and 12 kickoffs in his rookie season in 2014 and showed some big play speed on one of the wildest punt return touchdowns you’ll see.
Those are all things Brown has done in the past, but what he can provide the present-day Broncos remains a mystery.
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Ideally, he will at least provide some competition and give the team another option in the return game if they need it. Depending on what kind of contract he signs, Brown likely won’t even be guaranteed a roster spot, but this is a player who’s played a big role on a very good team and his disappearance over the last two seasons has been a mystery.
As with much of the rest of the Broncos’ offensive weaponry, Brown may bring more questions at this point than answers, but he’s got somewhat of a proven track record and could be a nice backup player for the team to have with special teams abilities.