Former Northern Colorado receiver Alex Wesley can clearly hang with the power five teams, and if Elway plays his cards right, he could have another weapon on the outside for Case Keenum.
Alex Wesley is definitely a receiver who can blow the top off any defense. I know what you’re thinking — He played in the FCS where the competition isn’t as physical or skilled.
The joke’s on the doubters though, just ask former Colorado Buffalo and 2018 second round pick Isaiah Oliver.
In their one and only matchup in Boulder, Wesley looked like a power five receiver, snagging five passes. Wesley was able to notch 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even with the loss, the performance not only put the NCAA on notice but the NFL on notice that this kid can play with the big dogs.
The Texas native didn’t let the buzz he was getting have an effect on his work on the field. Over the past two seasons, Wesley became only the second player in Northern Colorado history to have back to back 1,000-yard seasons.
He was invited to the Senior Bowl and impressed NFL coaches through three days of practice but couldn’t play in the game due to a nagging injury.
When I look at the former Bear’s game, I see a lot of former Notre Dame star Will Fuller, who can score on any play. But as I looked deeper, I saw a lot of Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Kennan Allen. He’s a receiver who can stretch the field and get vertical, but also someone who can turn a 10-yard dig to the house.
What can he bring to the Broncos?
Speed. This Kid can fly. In the NCAA track & field finals, Wesley finished 14th in the country in the 400-meter with a time of 45.91.
Wesley would be a vertical threat that Case Keenum could look to on third down, big play downs. With Emmanuel Sanders coming off of a torn Achilles and Courtland Sutton as the go-to deep threat, I don’t think there’s an issue with having another player to make the defense have to pick their poison.
The ability to spread the defense out and move vertically is what set Wesley apart from other receivers. He’s a quick-twitch receiver who plays a lot bigger than his 5’11″, 191-pound frame, which is going to set him apart from other receivers.
Think of a time — but not the record — when the Broncos had Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Stokley. That team lived off play action and getting chunk plays and this could be a better version if they can gel together with what they have.
Wesley will be at the NFL Scouting Combine in the coming weeks if you don’t believe me about this kid’s ability. If John Elway is smart, he’ll keep a close eye on Alex Wesley.