The presence of Russell Wilson lifts all boats for every single offensive player on the Denver Broncos roster making them a fun team to watch.
The entrance of Russell Wilson with the Denver Broncos has truly given the team “A New Hope” again.
Much like Peyton Manning when he joined the Broncos in 2012, there was a buzz surrounding the team before week one ever happened. The Manning teams exceeded expectations and then some.
With all the publicity surrounding Wilson and the 2022 Broncos, we might be living a parallel life from 10 years ago.
Wilson’s presence on the roster lifts all boats for a level of play. Denver has struggled to find its quarterback to bring out the most of its playmakers. This is something not just the local fans have wanted, but the national media as well.
This is why the expectations and buzz are higher than they’ve been since 2012. Along with the expectations comes questions about who will produce and help achieve those expectations.
Denver Broncos could have wide array of breakout offensive players
It is an unfortunate situation to be in when blame might be thrown in direction of the coaching staff or quarterback play. However, it seems this may be the case.
The case that may prove this to be true is none more than Wilson choosing to join the Broncos. Wilson had a no-trade clause and had to choose his next team.
The Broncos checked all the boxes for him and his family. Everything from the wide receiver corps to the running backs, Denver’s loaded with players on that offensive side.
Now with the security of ownership in a new $60 billion owner, the Broncos have never been more appealing.
As for appealing, there are a ton of players offensively who can break out in 2022.
Denver Broncos offensive breakout candidate no. 6: Jerry Jeudy, WR
As we mentioned in the previous slide, nearly every single player offensively is affected by the presence of Russell Wilson in the lineup. The insertion of Wilson makes nearly every single person around him better.
This is the qualification of a great player. As we begin to look at six of those breakout candidates, one is probably the hottest name on the list.
Ever since stepping foot onto a football field, people around Jerry Jeudy have raved about the potential of the Denver Broncos wide receiver.
Entering his third season, it admittedly has not gone according to plan. However, much has been the case for nearly every player listed in this piece they never reached their full potential due to other circumstances out of their control.
The talent of Jeudy is undeniable. There is not a player on the roster as talented to get open like him. He does not boast the physical traits of Courtland Sutton or Tim Patrick; however, Jeudy will make a tough play on the ball as evidenced versus the Jets on Thursday prime time.
In 2020 and 2021, he has shown on almost every single occasion he can get open with the best of them. As stated earlier in players raving about his potential, one that comes to mind is route running.
The release is next level, elite quickness forcing a defensive back to think about their next move.
If there is a player who can lead the team in yards it is Jeudy.
Denver Broncos offensive breakout candidate no. 5: Tim Patrick, WR
Like so many players before him, Tim Patrick is proof the underdog is capable of becoming a very reliable threat at wide receiver and potentially an underrated star.
Patrick bounced around the NFL being with a few teams before catching on with the Denver Broncos.
Patrick has worked long and hard to get to where he needs to be in his NFL career. He had shown the capacity as a number one receiver for a team. There are arguments to be made that Patrick has been the number one wideout on the roster.
Like Russell Wilson’s previous wide receiver corps in Seattle, Patrick lines up perfectly as a physical catch-point player for Wilson. Patrick is a phenomenal straight-line speed and a go-route threat that makes his 50/50 chances more like 80/20.
He regularly has shown tremendous awareness to catch the ball before the defender.
When you go undrafted in the NFL a player needs to show he is not a one-trick pony. This is why people who mentioned Patrick as a one-trick pony could not be further from the truth. Patrick has shown to be better in and out of his breaks completely rounding out his route tree.
Patrick is not just a likely candidate to be a 1,000-yard receiver once again, but a leader in team touchdowns as well.
Denver Broncos offensive breakout candidate no. 4: Courtland Sutton, WR
The talent is undeniable with Denver Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton. Every single wide receiver was hampered in one way or another by previous quarterbacks’ play or coaching staff.
Sutton in his season of 2019, showed he can be a threat regardless of the player under center. With Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, and Drew Lock at the helm Sutton still managed to register 1,000 yards on the season. That is three starting quarterbacks.
People have to understand the chemistry that was there for Sutton to perform the way he did.
Like Patrick, he showed to be a powerful downfield threat winning nearly every 50/50 ball. It was miraculous catch after miraculous catch. Also like Patrick coming into the draft, people made it a point of emphasis Sutton would have an uphill battle to achieve a better route tree.
Sutton has surpassed those expectations with flying colors. There’s a legitimate possibility there are two complete wide receivers on the roster in Sutton and Jerry Jeudy with Tim Patrick not far behind.
With Russell Wilson having two physical wide receivers it only helps his window for passes. The underrated aspect of Sutton’s game is the speed at which he has after the catch.
The size and speed of Sutton is a very rare breed of a wideout. He certainly is not Tyreek Hill speed, but he will blow the doors off on you if you’re not careful.
I firmly believe Denver will have two wide receivers in the conversation of top-15 or top-20 in the NFL when the 2022 season wraps up.
Denver Broncos offensive breakout candidate no. 3: Javonte Williams, RB
Russell Wilson throughout his career has had rush first offense with the Seattle Seahawks and it is unknown if Denver Broncos will do the same.
If they do or do not, the Broncos have a player in the backfield who could take home the ground and pound award every year if Denver was rushing first. Javonte Williams burst onto the season as a rookie making jaw-dropping plays.
Williams on numerous occasions re-enacted the scene of “Little Giants” carrying Spike throughout a game. Williams showed he can be a tough player to tackle. Ask Tyrann Mathieu.
In his first full season, Williams also proved to be a more than capable pass protector for the team. In essence, giving the team a bonus tackle for extra protection.
The rookie season is one that saw him become so close to 1,000 yards along with his counterpart Melvin Gordon who also returned to the Denver Broncos this offseason.
One area Williams will need to show strides is in his vision. There were instances where he would hit a clogged hole on the offensive line. This will come with more reps and time at the position.
However an area Russell Wilson will enjoy Williams (not just as a pass blocker) is through him as a receiving back. Williams has shown the capability to be the blocker and receiver out of the backfield.
The mark of a complete back is if he’s a “five-tool” player in the baseball sense of the word.
Denver has two W’s. One is at quarterback and the other is the halfback, Williams. Do not be shocked if Williams has his first 1,000-yard season this year.
Denver Broncos offensive breakout candidate no. 2: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE
The next stop on our breakout candidate list is two players who might deserve as much attention as the others. The first stop is Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.
With Noah Fant gone, the Broncos will look to Okwuegbunam to compete for the “TE1” position. There is no question Okwuegbunam has the attributes and talent to be one of the elite players in his position.
His straight-line speed is very impressive for someone his size. It is understandable how he ran a 4.49 at the combine.
It is unknown of the usage of the tight ends in the Nathaniel Hackett and Denver Broncos scheme. Okwuegbunam must show he’s a willing blocker or a regular one if Denver makes a concerted effort to run the ball.
This is without looking at Eric Tomlinson who will primarily be the big run blocker at tight end.
The talent for Okwuegbunam is evident in the sense depending on the offense he could be a focal point for defenses to key on.
Like Fant, there is a chance Okwuegbunam can be in the same vein as the AFC West great tight ends. We all know Okwuegbunam has a long way to go to achieve that level.
With Russell Wilson now in Denver maybe it happens sooner than we think.
Denver Broncos offensive breakout candidate no. 1: KJ Hamler, WR
Speed changes everything.
Who knows if the Denver Broncos would have had a better season if KJ Hamler never sustained his ACL injury? All during the practices of minicamp and Training Camp, both he and Jeudy were neck-and-neck for top players in camp.
Hamler’s injury ruined the chance at Denver having a true deep threat with pure speed. Fast forward to right now, Hamler seems to be on the fast track to full health.
Hamler’s speed changes everything. It can help a quarterback diagnose a defense quicker and faster. If there is one player who can rival Tyler Lockett in the Denver Broncos’ offense it is Hamler.
Hamler has the speed and underrated physical prowess to throw his weight around versus defensive backs. Ask Joe Haden.
Like Jeudy, Hamler is also a very savvy and crafty route runner. With his lightning-quick speed, he can stop on a dime and change direction.
The offensive scheme also would be wise to utilize Hamler’s speed in any fashion. This means end-around, reverses, or quick, short passes to exploit the explosiveness.
This mixed in with the beautiful deep ball of Russell Wilson will make for quite the dynamic duo.
4 Denver Broncos players who could get leapfrogged by rookies
Taking a look at four Denver Broncos players that could be leapfrogged by rookies during the 2022 offseason. Which veterans should be on guard?
Hamler is not a 1,000-yard receiver this year; however, there might be a discussion if he is one of the valuable pieces of this Broncos offense in 2022.