Draft Preview: Receivers/tight ends
Broncos in-house offseason moves: Signed TE Eric Tomlinson (Baltimore).
Under contract: WR — Courtland Sutton (four more years), Tim Patrick (three), Jerry Jeudy (two plus fifth-year option), KJ Hamler (two), Kendall Hinton (one), Tyrie Cleveland (one) and Travis Fulgham (one). Seth Williams (two). TE — Tomlinson (one), Albert Okwuegbunam (two) and Shaun Beyer (two).
Need scale (1-10): 1 for WR, 7 for TE. The Broncos’ trade for QB Russell Wilson did not include any of their current receivers so they are set there aside from potentially a late-round flier who can return kicks/punts. Tight end is a different story. Noah Fant, who led the team in receptions last year, was flipped to Seattle. If Andrew Beck works more at fullback, that leaves only three tight ends under contract.
Top Five
1. WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State: Ran 4.38-second 40 at combine. Caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards, 15 TDs last year (second-team All-America).
2. WR Chris Olave, Ohio State: Can play outside and slot. Caught 176 passes (school-record 36 TDs) in 38 games.
3. WR Jameson Williams, Alabama: Would have been first receiver drafted if not for torn ACL in College Football Playoff semifinal game. Seven 100-yard games last year (79 catches-1,572 yards). First-team All-America.
4. WR Drake London, USC: At shade under 6-foot-4, could be tallest receiver drafted. Played only eight games last year (broken ankle), but reached 100 yards six times.
5. WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State: Caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards, 12 TDs last year. Career average of 17.8 yards on 19 punt returns.
Broncos’ Options
The Broncos don’t have a first-round pick, but do have nine selections. A look at five possibilities:
1. TE Trey McBride, Colorado State: Top tight end in draft. Native of Fort Morgan caught 90 passes for 1,121 yards (1 TD) last year. First-team All-America as senior.
2. TE Greg Dulcich, UCLA: Averaged 17.3 yards per catch, third in FBS among tight ends. Caught 77 passes (11 TDs) in 37 games.
3. TE Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin: Team-high 46 catches in 13 games last year. Twelve TD catches in 46 career games.
4. WR Velus Jones, Tennessee: Ran 40 in 4.31 seconds at combine. Averaged 24.3 yards on 29 kick returns in 2020 for USC. Caught 62 passes for Vols last year.
5. TE Austin Allen, Nebraska: Twenty-nine catches in first three seasons, but 38 (for 602 yards, 2 TDs) last year for Huskers.
Sunday: Offensive line.
