Broncos undrafted free agent spotlight on WR Jalen Virgil

Following the 2022 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos signed undrafted free agent Jalen Virgil, a wide receiver out of Appalachian State. 

Each season, I run this series, taking a look at each of the Denver Broncos’ undrafted rookies and assessing their chances of making the roster or what their future holds if not. Jalen Virgil will kick off this year’s series.

Name: Jalen Virgil

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 210 pounds

School: Appalachian State

Jalen Virgil’s college statistics

Receptions: 98

Receiving yards: 1,436

Touchdowns: 11

Virgil received an extra year of eligibility and spent five years at Appalachian State, playing in 54 games. He never put up huge numbers as a receiver and never had more than 24 receptions in a season.

At the next level, it should be expected that the Broncos will experiment with him as a slot receiver and a guy who will be used on deep routes down the field. He does not possess top-end speed but most scouting reports note that he has “good” football speed.

As a receiver, he will have to show more consistency as well as many passes get to his body and result in drops. He can make the tough catch but does not have the most reliable set of hands and won’t likely ever be a primary target in the passing game.

The one area where he could really help a team is in the return game. He averaged 30.1 yards per return on 38 kick returns during his college career and returned three kickoffs for a touchdown, including two last season.

Chances of making the final roster (1-10 scale): 3

The Broncos brought in three wide receivers as undrafted free agents and it will be difficult for any of them to crack this roster. The Broncos are deep at wide receiver and with 13 of them currently on the roster, there will be a lot of competition to even make the practice squad.

Virgil could certainly turn some heads as a kick returner but fifth-round pick Montrell Washington could certainly be in his way there as well.

Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick are safe as far as roster spots are concerned. K.J. Hamler would be a shocking roster cut if it came to that, so you can put him on the roster as well.

That leaves nine players battling for probably two spots on the roster.

Virgil will be competing for a spot on the practice squad and having a chance to stick around the organization that way, basically taking the Kendall Hinton route.