Denver's Options At Slot Receiver

One of the things that was missing in Denver's offense last year was a receiver who could play in the slot, and open up the middle of the field. We simply didn't have anyone on the roster that could fill that role last year, and defenses took advantage of it. Add that in with the fact we had zero help at tight end, and the reasons our offense struggled just multiplied. 

Last years draft was supposed to produce the slot receiver we needed. Carlos Henderson was suppose to fill that role, but he got injured. Even before his injury he was struggling, and it was pretty clear that unless he made huge strides he wasn't going to be the guy. They drafted Isaiah Mackenzie from Georgia to provide a spark in the return game, and potentially grow into a slot receiver, but after all of his fumbles he will have a hard road to get any playing time. Even if he does he showed that he isn't necessarily a game breaker with his speed, and is more known for his shiftiness than ability to break the big play. 

What is a slot receiver? A slot receiver is a receiver like Wes Welker, or Brandon Stokely. A guy who isn't necessarily a track star, but is quick enough to get open, and run solid routes. This years draft has a few players who fit that role, but can also do a few more things other than catch the ball over the middle. For this post I am not going to go over the guys who will be at the top of the draft as Denver has other needs to fill there as we have gone over on this blog a few times. I am going to point out some names of receivers who strictly fit the role of slot receiver, and I am also going to give some names of players I think can fit that role, but are also special after they get the ball in their hands. 

The first name I am going to mention as a prototypical slot receiver is a kid named Braxton Berrios from the University of Miami. He played the slot at Miami and did an amazing job. His route running ability and hands are probably the best of any player I will mention in this post. Another thing about him that I think is important to look at is that he was a team captain. You can't be named a team captain of a major college program if you do not have the intangibles outside of just being a good football player. He looks like a mini Wes Welker in my opinion and would be a great target for our future quarterback to utilize. At 5'8 and 177lbs he has the body type, and size you look for to play in the slot. His projected to be taken in found 5-7, so he will be there for Denver to look at.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed-jXJsO_7k

The next player who fits what you want in a slot receiver is a player named Trey Quinn out of Southern Methodist University. He is 6' and 202lbs, so he is a little bigger than Berrios, but just as quick, and also has amazing hands. I watched a lot of film on this kid, and while he will not scare anyone with his speed, he can get open and make catches in traffic which is what you want for your slot receiver. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0yvBXbALdw

The next two players I am going to mention are players who can play in the slot, but can also score from anywhere on the field once they catch the ball. They are also able punt and kick returners, and Bronco fans saw last year that if you don't have the right guy returning kicks it can literally cost you the game, or games in the case of the Broncos last year. 

The first of these two players is a young man named Brandon Powell from the University of Florida. When I began watching film, and studying him people kept making comparisons to Tyreek Hill of the Kansas City Chiefs. That is a pretty high bar for a comparison, but I am going to be the first to say that the comparison is real, and this kid is flat out fun to watch. He is 5'9 and weighed in at 184lbs, so he has the body type you look for in a slot receiver, but he also was used out of the backfield, and to return kicks. Simply put, if you give this guy a seam there isn't anybody that will catch him. His he projected right now to be taken in the 6th round or later, so he is another guy Denver will not have to move up or down the draft board to get. He would be an immediate upgrade in our punt and kick return game, and can be used like a Tyreek Hill in that you can put him in the backfield, or run gimmick plays for him to get in space and use his speed and agility to make plays. If you watch any of the highlights I post watch this one. This kid is just fun to watch play football. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siUlxgrt1ZA&t=190s

The last player I will outline that can play the slot, but can also do special things after he has the ball in his hands is another player from the University of Florida named Antonio Callaway. He is a special player who became the 21st player in FBS history to score a touchdown 5 different ways. He might be a better pure receiver than Brandon Powell, but just from the film I have watched he doesn't have the explosive speed that Powell has. Callaway is projected to go in rounds 4-6, so he will be there for Denver to take should they decide they like him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNcuxLvpI-k

If I was picking for the Broncos my pick would be either be Berrios or Powell. I think Berrios is more of a "sure thing" as far as a slot receiver, but the upside to Brandon Powell is huge. He was recruited to Florida as a running back, but then developed into a slot receiver, and punt and kick returner. In a perfect world we could pick up both. Let me know your thoughts, or in the words of one of my co-authors, "Come at me haters". 

The View From Section 142

2/13/18

The View from Section 142

By Cliff Rodriguez @CliffRod303

I’ve been a Nuggets season ticket holder since 2009. In that time I’ve seen some great players and some good teams come through Denver. Over the last nine years the team has been both a perennial playoff team and a NBA waste-land. Post Carmelo Anthony the Nuggets were never quite good enough to contend for a title; and never quite bad enough to score a franchise changing player via the draft.

The 2017/18 Nuggets have brought renewed life to a previously dismal franchise. Fresh off an exciting ending to the 2016 season the Nuggets looked ready to take the next step towards the western conference playoffs. The acquisition of an NBA all-star in Paul Millsap created a huge buzz around town. Most fans, including myself couldn’t wait to see Millsap play with this team. Unfortunately Millsap went down with a wrist injury a mere 16 games into his first season with the Nuggets.

My instant reaction was obviously here we go again. Denver was finally able field a roster that should be able to make a run at the playoffs and our best player was injured within the first quarter of the season. Annoyed with the basketball gods I did what any self-righteous fan with great seats would do. I started selling off my tickets to all the premium games. Unashamed I made a large amount of money slanging my tickets to unworthy bandwagon fans. Golden State, Houston, OKC, the Lakers all have legions of trendy douche bags willing to pay premium dollars to keep up the charade of their fandom.

Although I did not attend many games, I watched every one of them. All I wanted was the Nuggets to stay relevant during Millsap’s absence. Stay in striking distance, compete every night, and develop an identity is what I was hoping for.

In surprising and heroic like fashion Denver has been able to stay 100% relevant in the western conference playoff picture. At 30-26 the Nuggets are currently in the 7^th seed in the conference and are only one game out of the 5^th seed.  The core of Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Nikola Jokic has put the western conference on notice, that this team is for real. The play of Will Barton and Trey Lyles has presented a challenge to every team every night; and right now there isn’t a team that’s looking forward to playing Denver in round one of the playoffs.

I see a team that’s learning to win. I see a team that’s becoming more confident with each win. I see a team that has the roster and fire power to beat anyone on any given night in a variety of ways. I also see a team that needs to learn how to stop the bleeding. I see a team that needs to learn how to win when they aren’t playing their best. I see a team that is still afraid to lose.

This team needs time. We haven’t seen their best yet. The hard part for us the “fan” is being patient. Sustained success has to be built. In this day and age we all want instant gratification. This can’t be rushed. The blueprint is on the table, the ingredients are being prepped. Don’t fall victim to low hanging fruit.

The best move the front office has made this season, was not panicking at the trade deadline last week. They could have easily started to let talent go for pennies on the dollar and trade away future picks. Holding their ground showed me that they know that this team is close to contending. Not selling the farm for a chance at a playoffs was the right move. When you’re close to sustained greatness, continued patience is necessary. If they were fighting for a top 3 seed and had an actual shot at the title this season then they should have made more moves. Holding their ground and saving picks as set them up to make significant upgrades in both free agency and the draft for next season.  

The Nuggets are on track to be a perennial playoff team again. The future is bright. This season will end in disappointment, but without disappointment you can’t appreciate victory. Get ready for some great basketball. Mark my words, if Denver stays on track with the core of Murray, Harris, Jokic, Millsap and Lyles they will be a top 3 seed in 2020 and will be in contention for an NBA in title until 2023.

Come at me haters.

New Authors

As people continue to read the blog I find myself unable to keep up with all the information in the sports world, and wanted to get a couple more people whose opinion on sports I respect to contribute as authors. Coming in to help author more articles are a couple friends who are like brothers to me. Mike Bierman, whom I have known and been friends with since I was in 3rd grade is coming aboard to share his insight and wisdom with the readers of the blog.

The other writer that is coming aboard is Cliff Rodriguez, who I have been friends with since I met him when I was in 7th grade. He always has a different, and well thought out point of view on all sports related topics, and is one of my favorite people to debate sports with.

I am a firm believer in presenting multiple opinions, and enjoying a hobby with close friends. There are no Denver sports topics that are off limits, and sometimes one of us may write an article that another writer will disagree with, or present a counter point to. That is the point of having multiple writers, to present different ideas, and look at things from a different perspective. At the end of the day we all want our Colorado sports teams to win championships every year, and our promise is you will always get honest, and entertaining opinions on Colorado sports topics.

The Change Of Pace Back

One of the many things the Broncos were missing last year was a player who could score from any point on the field out of the backfield. There are 3 kinds of running backs in the NFL, power backs like LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, or even CJ Anderson. The next type of back is the change of pace back. The running back who has great speed and elusiveness. The kind of player who can return punts and kicks, and catch passes out of the backfield. Probably the best example of this type of back is a Darren Sproles, or a Danny Woodhead. They create match up problems as they are usually too fast for linebackers, and too big for safeties. Finally, the 3rd, and most rare type of back these days is your every down back. A guy who can do it all like Leonard Fournette, or Adrian Peterson. They can score at from any point on the field, and have the size to get the short yards.

Obviously every team wants a guy like Leonard Fournette, but if you can't find one of them you have to find players that fit each role. In this post I am going to go over the potential change of pace backs that are available in the draft this year.

The 2018 draft has a few guys at the top of the pack like a Sony Michelle, Bryce Love, or Ronald Jones. All of them have the ability to score from any point on the field if they get into the secondary. Sony Michelle has the potential to be an every down back who could be special, but the other two most likely will fill the change of pace role for whichever team picks them up. For the sake of argument in this post lets assume that all 3 are gone, so who are the guys Denver should be looking at.

My first pick for Denver would be a player named Nyheim Hines who is a running back from NC State. At 5'8 and 197lbs he isn't going to be a "between the tackles" back, but he was a track star for NC State in the 100 meter, and 60 meter sprint. He can return kicks, and is a very good receiver out of the backfield. Hines is exactly the type of player Denver needs, a guy who can score any time he touches the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taKEoX7tXQM&t=1s

My next choice is Akrum Wadley out of Iowa. He is 5'9 and 188lbs, so again he will not be powering for the short yards, but he is special when he gets the ball in his hands. Along with impressive rushing numbers he had 28 receptions for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns. Like Hines he can return punts and kicks, so he can he can be used multiple ways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SwhmnYjQQc&t=123s

My 3rd choice for a potential change of pace back from the Broncos is Ito Smith out of Southern Mississippi. He is 5'10 and 202lbs. He had 43 receptions for 396 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He would be a great compliment to CJ Anderson and whoever else Denver decides to sign to fix their back field this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKSJjLqWLuA

My long shot, or surprise pick is a guy by the name of Martez Carter, who played from Grambling State. He is 5'7 and 204lbs. To go along with 854 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, and he also had 33 receptions for 449 yards and two touchdowns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuOAGgSTz0

All 4 of these running backs have great speed, can return kicks, and are a receiving threat out of the backfield. Last year Denver's special teams were only special in the amount of points they gave up or were responsible for. They also couldn't ever seem to get a running back out of the backfield and matched up on a linebacker. All 4 of these guys have big play ability, can catch the ball out of the backfield. Whoever the next quarterback of the Broncos is would benefit greatly from having one of these guys in the backfield with them.

Lets Talk Nuggets Basketball

Being from Denver we know that this is a football town. It always has been, and always will be, but the Nuggets and Avs are making serious pushes for the playoffs, and I don't remember a time I have been more excited for the start of the Rockies season in a long time. 

The Denver Nuggets are quietly putting together a great season in an NBA where the narrative is almost you have to have at least 3 legit stars to even challenge for a playoff spot. Not to mention that they are in the Western Conference which is by far the superior conference in the NBA. If Denver was in the Eastern Conference they would probably be challenging Boston and Cleveland for the top spot in the conference. Emanuel Mudiay was suppose to be the next Russell Westbrook, a high tempo, fast guard, who can penetrate the paint, and then through his ability to see the court can make the people around him better. Sadly for Nuggets fans that didn't happen. During his time here it became more and more apparent that the hopes we had were never going to pan out. He failed to get a better 3 point shot, and his position was taken from him by Jamal Murray who is everything we thought Mudiay would be, and therefore made Mudiay a bench player. To his credit he worked his tail off coming off the bench, and showed great character in that he didn't start talking to the media, or creating issues in the locker room.

Devin Harris is who they got in return, and with him they have something they have needed all year which is a veteran point guard, who doesn't make too many turnovers, and can score pretty consistently from beyond the arc. What Denver has now might not be a team that has 2 to 3 super stars, but they are a team that can go 10 deep and create match up problems with just about any team in the NBA. They have been playing better than .500 basketball, and they are doing it without their star in Paul Milsap. Can they go star for star with teams like Golden State, or Houston? The answer is obviously no, but what they can do is create match up problems for any team in the NBA, and with the roster as it is currently constructed can play an up tempo, or go into a half court offense where they can take advantage of their match ups. Their starting line up with Jamal Murray at point guard, Gary Harris at shooting guard, Wilson Chandler at small forward, Paul Milsap at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center is a very strong starting line up. Our back court is probably one of the most underrated back courts in the NBA as both Harris and Murray can hit the outside shot, but both of them also play pretty good defense. I will say it now on record but Gary Harris is one of, if not the most underrated shooting guards in the NBA. Night in and night out he shows he is a two way player, and he is capable of scoring against anyone, anytime, anywhere. The back court is solid, but what about the front court? Wilson Chandler is a borderline 6'10 player who can guard all 5 positions on the floor, but has the offensive capability to create match up issues with players that are smaller than he is. He can hit the 3 pointer, drive the lane, and isn't afraid to get physical when he has too. Moving on to power forward and Paul Milsap, he is a power forward who has the ball skills of a small forward, and the ability to rebound and play defense as good or better than any other power forward in the game. I remember when he played for Utah he use to be the thorn in the Nuggets side. He is equally as effective in an up tempo offense as he is in a half court offense that inevitably happens in the playoffs. Finally we get to the man in the middle, and literal center piece of the franchise in Nikola Jokic. We have never had a big man in Denver with his capabilities. He can rebound, block shots, and could be the best shooting center in the NBA from both mid range and beyond the arc. What makes him even more special is his on court vision, and ability to make the special pass to create easy buckets for his teammates. He is a special player, and a center piece we can build around. 

What makes our team special is our bench, and that will be what drives us to a playoff run. With guys like Will Barton, Mason Plumlee, and what is probably the biggest surprise of the year Trey Lyles coming off the bench opposing teams do not get a "break" when our starters come out. To say Lyles has been a pleasant surprise is an understatement. Lyles is a 6'10 forward who can play the small forward, power forward, or center position off the bench, plays tough defense, and has a very underrated outside shot. Then you add in the point guard we just traded for in Devin Harris, and he is the compliment to the high pace, run and gun back court we have with Gary Harris and Murray. Harris is a veteran who also has a ability from behind the arc, can get the other players involved, but he is not the defensive liability that Mudiay was. From there you add in guys like Richard Jefferson, Kenneth Faried, Juan Hernangmoez, and two guys who have really been nice surprises in Torrey Craig and Malik Beasley, and you can start to see how Denver's depth will be an issue for teams in the playoffs. When other teams shorten their bench Denver has the ability go deep into their bench to run teams out of the gym. It is an exciting time to be a Nuggets fan, and it will be fun to see what they can do for the rest of the year when the get Milsap back, and they begin to make their run into the playoffs. 

Two Players Who Should Be On The Broncos Radar

The underlying theme of most of my blog posts thus far has been that Denver needs to rebuild their offensive line. This years draft is pretty stacked with talented offensive linemen, and Denver is no doubt going to try and get their hands on a couple of these guys. With the 5th pick in the draft Denver will basically have their "pick of the litter", and we have the opportunity to pick up a linemen that will be a foundational piece of this team for hopefully the next 8 to 10 years. I have discussed the names at the top of the list, but after doing a little more research on the linemen coming out this year I want to bring up a couple of players that people are not talking about as much. 

The first player I'll mention is a left tackle named Desmond Harrison from the University of West Georgia.  Harrison is 6'7 and 300lbs, and started his career at a junior college then transferred to the University of Texas. While at Texas he had some eligibility and discipline issues which is how he ended up player at West Georgia. All you have to do is put on the film of this kid and you will see that might be the most physically gifted tackle in this draft. His ability to get to the second level is very impressive. His footwork in pass protection is also extremely smooth, and he plays with an "edge" that you like to see in your offensive linemen. While there isn't too much film on him, the film there is shows him literally finishing his blocks by taking his opponent to the ground on just about every play. Some websites have him listed as light as 288lbs, while others have him as heavy as 315lbs. Either way he will have to gain some weight between now and when the season starts, but this kid has all the skills to be a cornerstone at left tackle for whichever team takes a gamble on him. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVEjpoBzhrI&t=4s

The second player I will spotlight is Frank Ragnow who is a center from the University of Arkansas. During his time at Arkansas he also played right guard, and that is where I see him playing here in Denver. Matt Paradis is the one bright spot on our offensive line, so I do not necessarily think we need to make a change there, but on top of being voted the top center in college football Ragnow hasn't given up a sack in 2 years. Considering he plays in the SEC that is saying something. Ragnow is 6'5 and weighs right around 320lbs, and he would be ready to step in and start from day 1 should Denver decide to draft him. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9uMW2mLf4U&t=10s

Should the Broncos decide to take the best player available with the 5th pick, or draft one of the QBs at the top of the draft these are two players who they could draft that could make an impact right away at two positions they need the most. 

What Can Bronco Fans Take Away From This Super Bowl?

I think just about every fan of a team that wasn't in the Super Bowl was watching and thinking to themselves "what does my team need to have to get to be able to play in this game?" Some teams need more than others, but I think watching that game it became pretty clear what the Broncos are missing. Quite honestly it is the same thing they've been missing for at least the last two years, and that is a dominant offensive line. Anyone who has been around football for a long period of time knows this. It is one of the basic universal rules in football: you must have a dominant line to make your running game effective, and to protect your quarterback. To put it frankly the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line flat out bullied the Patriots defensive line. They were able to open holes for the running backs, and protect Nick Foles.

Denver tried 3 different quarterbacks this year and they all had limited success at best. What is the common denominator? The offensive line. This is why I believe it is foolish at best to think that plugging in another quarterback behind the line the way it is currently constructed will have a different outcome than what we saw this past year. Should Denver go sign Kirk Cousins for what will probably be close to 30 million dollars a year, but fail to rebuild their line all you will have a QB collecting a huge paycheck with average success at best. It also will not matter who you have running the ball because they will literally have nowhere to go.

This leads me into the other thing that Philadelphia has that we don't: a power running game. The Eagles have two backs in LeGarrett Blount and Jay Ajyai who are both 225lbs+, and will run through someone. In the first quarter it might not be as successful you would expect, but come the 4th quarter when the defense starts getting worn down from tackling two guys who are that big you will start to see more and more success. As it stands now CJ Anderson and Devontae Booker are not those guys. We can talk all the we want about who is taking the snaps next year, but unless that person has a offensive line that has a element of nasty to it, and a couple of running backs who play the same way Denver will have another average year at best. It is not sexy, but this off season Denver's main priority should be to build that offensive line, and find a couple of running backs who will get the tough yards. Once they have those things in place the quarterback issue will be easier to solve. I am confident our front office knows this, and next year we will have up to 3 new starters on the offensive line who hopefully bring the nastiness we need to once again dominate the line of scrimmage."