Broncos should call these receivers after KJ Hamler’s injury

The Denver Broncos may need to call on some reinforcements at the wide receiver position after KJ Hamler’s latest injury.

The Denver Broncos got another victory to improve to 3-0 on the young 2021 season. However, like the previous two games, the third victory once again came at a cost.

This time, the Broncos might be without young receiver KJ Hamler just two weeks after losing Jerry Jeudy to an ankle injury.

Hamler tried to come down with a ball against the New York Jets and wound up landing awkwardly on his left leg, and he bent his knee in a way that you never want to see anyone bend their knee. It was ugly enough that the CBS broadcast crew opted not to replay it for fans watching at home because of the fact that it was too tough to watch.

With all of that being said, the initial prognosis on Hamler appears to be at least somewhat positive.

Denver Broncos may need to scour free agency for WR help

As the Denver Broncos await the results of the MRI for Hamler, general manager George Paton should be working the phone lines to potentially make an addition (or two) at the wide receiver position.

This is the exact scenario that prompted an article I wrote recently about why the team should consider signing recently reinstated wide receiver Josh Gordon.

With Hamler injured, the Denver Broncos are now just one Courtland Sutton or Tim Patrick injury away from being really desperate at the receiver position.

It’s not like we’re already 12 games into the season, either. The Broncos have a chance right now to add depth to a position that was thankfully deep to begin with, but that depth is now being tested.

Hamler’s injury forced Diontae Spencer into more extensive action, and with all due respect to Spencer, that’s not a position the Broncos want to find their offense in.

There are some receivers available, though it doesn’t seem that George Paton is as likely to go the veteran route as he is the practice squad or in-house route. An injury to Hamler on top of an injury to Jerry Jeudy could prompt him to look for a veteran, however.

We’ll know soon enough.

Here are some names the Broncos and George Paton might consider.

Denver Broncos WRs to consider after KJ Hamler injury

1. John Brown

I originally posed this idea in a previous post about free agents to consider with Jerry Jeudy injured in week one.

I posed the idea again on Twitter during the game against the New York Jets when KJ Hamler went down with an injury, and only 342 fellow fans pointed out the fact that Brown carries the sickle cell trait, which historically has been an issue for players playing at altitude in Denver.

This is, of course, a valid point.

However, there is a clear and obvious counter:

The Denver Broncos and John Brown had this issue cleared up in 2019 when Brown was apparently considering signing with the team as a free agent.

The sickle cell trait is a non-issue for Brown as it relates to playing in Denver, at least according to a report. And at the time (again, 2019), it wasn’t an issue for the Broncos either.

It could still end up being an issue that would prevent this possible pairing from happening. Only the Denver Broncos and John Brown would know that for sure.

If it’s not an issue, he makes a lot of sense just from a skill standpoint.

Brown has always been all about speed, and without Hamler or Jeudy in the lineup, the Broncos’ receiver position lacks in that department severely.

Denver Broncos WRs to consider after KJ Hamler injury

2. Golden Tate

Back in the 2019 offseason, the New York Giants made a bold move to trade Odell Beckham Jr. and sign Golden Tate to a free agent contract.

Although he only played 11 games that season, he caught 49 passes in Pat Shurmur’s offense with the Giants for 676 yards and six touchdowns.

In the 2020 season, Tate caught just 35 passes for 388 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Although Tate is 33 years of age, he was making plays like this as of late last season…

Given his familiarity with Pat Shurmur’s offensive system, it stands to reason that Golden Tate would be an option if the Denver Broncos opt to add a veteran at the position.

He’s not what he once was in terms of his speed and YAC ability but he’s still a savvy veteran who could come in and make significant contributions.

Denver Broncos WRs to consider after KJ Hamler injury

3. John Hightower (Eagles practice squad)

The Philadelphia Eagles stole Mac McCain III from the Denver Broncos, it might be time for George Paton to return the favor.

Hightower was a 5th-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft for the Eagles out of Boise State and he wound up appearing in 13 games last season, catching 10 passes for 167 yards (16.7 per reception).

Hightower ran a 4.43 at the 2020 Scouting Combine and posted a 38-inch vertical jump, so athleticism is not an issue here.

He’s got some regular season action, he’s a young player with some upside, and he would add that element of speed to the Denver Broncos’ offense.

It’s been George Paton’s brand to this point to look more at other teams’ practice squads than to just go out and sign veterans, so perhaps a player like Hightower is more likely anyway.

Hightower was well-liked by many in Broncos Country coming out of Boise State but it’s obviously been a bit of tough sledding for him so far in Philadelphia.

The opportunity in Denver, if he’s presented with it, might be too good to pass up on.

Hightower would also be very familiar with Denver Broncos practice squad QB Brett Rypien, one of his teammates in college.

Denver Broncos WRs to consider after KJ Hamler injury

4. Keke Coutee (Colts practice squad)

At this point, it’s slightly surprising that Keke Coutee, a young player with 83 receptions in three seasons, is still sitting on some team’s practice squad.

The Houston Texans were certainly willing sellers in the 2021 offseason and we all have reason to believe they remain sellers (more on that in a bit) but Coutee didn’t net them anything in return.

They cut him, and he signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad.

And there on the Colts’ practice squad he remains.

Coutee caught a career-high 33 passes for 400 yards last season with three touchdowns. His catch percentage of 82.5 percent was way up from the low 60s it had been the previous two seasons.

He’s got some experience returning kicks and punts, he’s got a rushing touchdown, and he’s got big-time speed.

The Denver Broncos just lost two of their fastest players on offense with Jeudy and Hamler down, at least for the time being. Coutee could be some nice insurance the rest of the regular season if those guys take longer than anticipated to get back.

Denver Broncos WRs to consider after KJ Hamler injury

5. Trade for Denzel Mims (Jets)

The New York Jets clearly don’t want Denzel Mims at this point.

The Denver Broncos could use him and his vertical speed.

Now that the game between the two has passed, the Jets should send Mims to the Broncos for a late-round pick and give him a fresh start somewhere else.

6. Trade for a Texans WR

Make a bold move for Brandin Cooks (not likely). Talk the Texans into trading Anthony Miller.

Hey, they have been willing to trade pretty much anyone at this point, right?

The Texans could trade Cooks, but they would likely wait until the trade deadline when his value is at its highest.

You might be able to pry Miller away from them right now, though.

7. Sign Travis Fulgham (Eagles practice squad)

Fulgham had a really nice stretch of play last season but wasn’t able to make the Eagles’ roster this year.

That was a pretty significant surprise to a lot of people.

There was enough on Fulgham’s 2020 tape to really like in terms of his development and poaching him off of the Eagles’ practice squad now seems like a good idea.

8. Trade for Andy Isabella (Cardinals)

Just like Denzel Mims with the Jets, Andy Isabella and the Cardinals seem to be done with each other.

The Cardinals might be too proud to part with the former second-round pick, but he’s not getting snaps at receiver for them and has played just one game so far in 2021.

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