KJ Hamler

Hamler enters the 2023 campaign with a litany of health concerns that have plagued the start of his career. The 23-year-old missed most of the 2021 season due to an ACL tear, and the issues continued in 2022 when he dealt with a hamstring injury that ended his season early. Additionally, Hamler underwent surgery this offseason to repair a partially torn pectoral. That said, the speedster has elite field-stretching ability when healthy. The Broncos offense could take a step forward under new head coach Sean Payton, and Hamler could make an impact if he can stay on the field as the fourth option at receiver. The addition of rookie Marvin Mims, however, could eat into Hamler's already limited workload.

With Russell Wilson's arrival lifting the potential of all Denver pass catchers, Hamler seems destined to see a boost to his role in the 2022 season, especially with fellow wideout Tim Patrick having suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. How much of a boost remains to be seen, as Hamler is currently behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy on the depth chart and is coming off a torn ACL suffered at the end of September last season. The speedy wideout's ability to stretch the field should be an attractive quality for Wilson, but it is unclear if Hamler will have a path to steady volume when both Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are available. On the plus side, Hamler should be at or near full strength by Week 1.

The Broncos are a strange team - they're loaded with receiving depth but have one of the worst QB situations in the league. Last year's 46th overall pick, Hamler is part of that depth, as he slots behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick. At 5-9, 181, Hamler is tiny, but he can fly - he was expected to run a sub 4.3 40 before a hamstring injury kept him out of the 2020 combine. Expect Hamler to serve as a field-stretcher and an option on gadget plays, but it's hard to see someone with his frame generating high volume, especially in such a crowded receiving corps that includes rising TE Noah Fant. Meanwhile, Teddy Bridgewater enters Week 1 as the starting quarterback, a likely weakness for the Broncos.

Denver double-dipped at receiver during the first two rounds of the draft, selecting Hamler in the second round after taking Jerry Jeudy in the first. Hamler led Penn State in receiving yards in each of his two seasons on campus and was expected to run a sub-4.3 40-yard-dash at the combine before injuring his hamstring. His potential as a deep threat and on trick plays should earn him some early snaps at WR3, though his immediate value might be as a decoy rather than game-breaker.