Wide receiver/return specialist
The Broncos initially have River Cracraft on their roster as the sixth wide receiver and punt returner. Here’s what John Elway had to say about that.
"“We’re still looking. That’s the outlook. We continue to look and try to get better there. Right now it’s [WR] River [Cracraft], but we’ll continue to try to get better there if we can. If there’s someone better than River, then we’ll see what we can do.” John Elway"
Alright. The Broncos are trying to get better than River Cracraft. Let’s see what’s out there…
Pharoh Cooper (waivers)
Cooper is a former fourth-round draft pick who was a Pro Bowler and (checks notes) first-team All-Pro in 2017 as a return specialist. He did that with the Los Angeles Rams that year, primarily as a kickoff returner, but he averaged 12.5 yards per punt return that year as well.
The issue is, can he contribute offensively? Does it matter?
Braxton Berrios (waivers)
Since the Patriots once made a star out of a young slot receiver/punt returner named Wes Welker who didn’t have a chance to shine, perhaps it would be poetic justice for Braxton Berrios to find similar success as a slot man/returner with another team.
Staying healthy has been an issue, but Berrios is a talented receiver and returner who averaged over nine yards per punt return in preseason play.
Josh Doctson (waivers)
Doctson has not returned punts to my knowledge, but the former big play threat out of TCU was a first-rounder for the Washington Redskins in 2016 and a good-looking one at one point. I wouldn’t mind the Broncos taking a flier here.
Diontae Spencer (waivers)
Spencer was one of my underrated pre-roster cut trade targets. The Steelers ended up cutting him, but he averaged 14.7 yards per return in preseason play and also got some interesting looks in their offense.
He was a stud in Canada for a few years and could be an intriguing pickup.
Terry Godwin (waivers)
Drafted in the seventh round this year by the Carolina Panthers, the former Georgia Bulldogs receiver showed well as a punt returner in preseason play despite running a disappointing 4.55 at the Scouting Combine.