Broncos Mailbag: Which receiver will benefit most by arrival of quarterback Russell Wilson?

Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the off-season. Submit questions to Ryan here.

Ryan, which member of the Broncos’ receiving corps benefits most from quarterback Russell Wilson’s arrival? I think Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick are primed for big numbers, but Jerry Jeudy is the guy who stands to gain the most. What do you think?

— Mark, Arvada

I’ll go with KJ Hamler. The Broncos should hope Sutton is better Year 2 post-ACL surgery and they know what they have in Patrick (team-high 15 “explosive” catches last year, which are gains of at least 16 yards). Jeudy didn’t have a touchdown last year, but if he’s connecting with Wilson, he will have a passer who can take advantage of his route-running.

But about Hamler, who tore his ACL in Week 3 of last year? He has the speed to get down the field and Wilson is one of the best downfield passers in the NFL. That makes Wilson-to-Hamler a match so long as Hamler can get back on the field in training camp and stay on the field.

A receiver or tight end who gets open downfield will see his numbers increase.

Now that we got safety Kareem Jackson back, what are our biggest needs heading into the draft? I’d love to see us find a replacement for either of the lines.

— Tim J., Cheyenne, Wyo.

Jackson is back on a second consecutive one-year deal and remember, after re-signing him last year, the Broncos used a Day 3 pick on safety Caden Sterns so don’t rule out taking a safety at some point in this year’s draft as well.

To your point about the offensive and defensive lines, I agree. The Broncos need to find a right tackle they can develop into a starter for 2023 and also another big body to play a rotational early-down role on defense.

Ranking the biggest needs: 1. Pass rusher; 2. Tight end; 3. Right tackle; 4. Running back; 5. Cornerback. If an edge rusher is on the board at No. 64 that they like, the Broncos should take him.

Ryan, our special teams have been downright awful the past few years (Tom McMahon, you will not be missed). Do you see us picking anyone up to help beef up our punt/kickoff crews? Outside of his penalties, Mike Ford was kind of that guy for us last season.

— Marshall, Parker

The special teams is undergoing a rebuild under new coordinator Dwayne Stukes.

Gone from the roster or unsigned: Eric Saubert (302 special teams snaps), returner Diontae Spencer, inside linebacker Micah Kiser (138) and cornerbacks Nate Hairston (241) and Mike Ford (240).

But the Broncos have signed tight end Eric Tomlinson (165 special teams snaps for Baltimore), inside linebacker Alex Singleton (214 for Philadelphia) and safety J.R. Reed (101 for Rams/Giants) in addition to re-signing fullback/tight end Andrew Beck (189).

The Broncos need to figure out their return game.

Who is your top guy with the Broncos’ first pick? I’d like to see Wyoming’s Chad Muma fall to us there. He’d help shore up our inside linebacker crew.

— Devon Reed, Commerce City

Muma, the Lone Tree native, is expected to be drafted in the second round, but I’m not sure how big of a need inside linebacker is for the Broncos after re-signing Josey Jewell, adding Alex Singleton and having Justin Strnad and Jonas Griffith in back-up roles plus Baron Browning, who ended last year as a starter.

Last week, I mocked Georgia safety Lewis Cine to the Broncos at No. 64, but that was before they re-signed Kareem Jackson. Now, I’m thinking about an edge rusher like Oklahoma’s Nic Bonitto (15 sacks last two years), South Carolina’s Kingsley Enagbare (10 1/2 sacks last two years) or Western Kentucky’s DeAngelo Malone (34 sacks in 62 games). Remember, Randy Gregory and Bradley Chubb have fought injuries so the more edge rushers, the better.

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