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Denver Broncos Fantasy Mailbag: Wide receiver breakdown

By Brett Chaves

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Courtland Sutton #14 of the Denver Broncos lines up on offense against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Courtland Sutton #14 of the Denver Broncos lines up on offense against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: K.J. Hamler #13 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Lamarcus Joyner #29 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: K.J. Hamler #13 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Lamarcus Joyner #29 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

KJ Hamler

K.J. Hamler provides one of the biggest opportunities for fantasy potential in this Denver Broncos receiving corps.

In his rookie season, Hamler recorded 30 receptions for just 381 yards and three touchdowns. In terms of fantasy, he produced just over 60 points. While this doesn’t seem like a whole lot, if you break down the tape, there are actually some notable highlights in Hamler’s game.

Within Pat Shurmur’s scheme, Hamler is most threatening when he has the room to showcase his speed and agility. This means getting him involving through jet sweeps, quick slants down the middle, and most importantly, “go-routes.” If Hamler can get open deep downfield, he has a better chance of breaking coverage and producing points.

Two out of the three touchdowns scored by Hamler last season were off of the deep ball. Going up against the Carolina Panthers last season, Hamler was able to burn coverage easily on two go-routes, allowing Lock to find him deep down the field and score.

Because Hamler has the speed and the ability to create the deep-ball threat, this makes him a perfect suitor to be Drew Lock’s true slot receiver. After Sutton went down last season, there were points where Hamler had to be featured along the outside. Now that Sutton is back and Jeudy is another year stronger, K.J. Hamler can find his way back to the slot and feature in the plays Lock is successful in.

For fantasy in this upcoming season, expect Hamler to put up slightly higher numbers from last year. However, the difference should not be drastic enough to make him a consistent flex receiver. Hamler only had three stints last year where he put up over 10 points, and only one week over 20 points. In order to be a consistent pick in starting lineups, he has to be able to put up around 10 points in 10 to 11 of the 18 weeks played this season.

Looking at the situation now, it looks like Hamler is due to have a more productive year in fantasy football. However, his lack of targets (56 in 2020) and only real success in the deep ball makes him a matchup-dependent player in 2021.

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