Broncos 2020 mock draft: Playmakers for Pat Shurmur

James Proche doesn’t look like the type of guy who might be the best contested-catch receiver in a draft class absolutely loaded with guys who can do it well, but he may be just that.

I am a huge proponent of the Broncos drafting two receivers from this class, and I would prefer it if both were selected rather high. As a matter of fact, there are scenarios that get me giddy involving back-to-back picks to open the draft at wide receiver.

Is that a requirement?

Absolutely not, and players like Proche are the reason why.

A team captain for SMU, Proche is a former teammate of Courtland Sutton and would give the Broncos a threat at every level of the field who plays with toughness at the receiver position. He’s not exactly the same, but looking at Proche reminds me a lot of Steve Smith, the former Carolina Panthers receiver who was small but never too small to win at the catch point and just out-physical defenders.

Proche can get separation to every level of the field and minimize his size deficiencies, and he’s thick enough to break tackles in the open field on quick pass plays.

Drafting Shenault and Proche would give the Broncos a wide receiver depth chart of Courtland Sutton, Shenault, DaeSean Hamilton, Proche, and a combination of Juwann Winfree, Tim Patrick, and Diontae Spencer.

Add in the weapons this team already has at tight end plus Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire at running back? Wow.