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Denver Broncos: Second-year players ready to contribute

By Sayre Bedinger

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs into the end zone untouched for a second half touchdown as the Badgers beat the Brigham Young Cougars 40-6 at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs into the end zone untouched for a second half touchdown as the Badgers beat the Brigham Young Cougars 40-6 at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver River Cracraft #11 of the Denver Broncos comes up with a catch and first down under coverage by strong safety Jahleel Addae #37 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver River Cracraft #11 of the Denver Broncos comes up with a catch and first down under coverage by strong safety Jahleel Addae #37 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

River Cracraft, WR

Admittedly, this is a bit of cheating because Cracraft was a rookie in 2017, officially, as he signed to the Broncos’ practice squad a couple of times.

We’ll call him a ‘redshirt’ second-year guy.

In 2018, however, Cracraft actually got to dress for half the team’s regular season games and wound up catching one pass, and you can see a picture of the awesome 44-yard catch above.

It was a highlight-reel play, to be certain, for Cracraft who needed some type of notch on his belt for regular season action after he really impressed the coaching staff and media at training camp.

He took Carlos Henderson’s jersey number and roster spot with the Broncos last season, but now in his second full season with the team, expectations will be higher for Cracraft to contribute as both a slot receiver and return specialist.

He returned 12 punts for 40 yards for an underwhelming 3.3 yards per return average.

Not that everyone expected Cracraft to be this big play guy, but I would like to see him develop into a player who can average closer to 10 yards per punt return and make more of an impact on the passing game as a slot guy.

He’s certainly capable of it and he’s put in the work to get better. Hopefully he can solidify his place this year and contribute on a weekly basis.

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