Summer Sleeper: Denver Broncos

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sleeperseriesWith less than a month before all training camps have opened around the NFL, we begin our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL.

These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.

We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” that includes such names as Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory or Danny Amendola. You’re all too good for that.

While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.

Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!

The Denver Broncos were a defensive blown coverage play away from a Super Bowl run, but I have a feeling that mistake isn’t going to happen again.  Under the off-field leadership of Hall of Famer John Elway as their chief executive and the on-field leadership of future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, the Broncos are gearing up for another title for both quarterbacks. The one thing the NFL is known for is adaptation and restocking talented players in key positions.  The Denver organization is no different as they are trying to get quicker and more explosive with their skill players.  Their signing of Wes Welker to a two-year contract applies the pressure on all defenses they face.

Unfortunately, Manning and Welker are not long-term keys to the team’s success and the Broncos need to find younger weapons.  Denver has invested heavily in the last two drafts to find running backs Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, but the front office didn’t stop there.  Two more of those talented, young playmakers are third year tight end Julius Thomas and rookie wide receiver Tavarres King.  While I understand neither of these players are exactly household names, this article isn’t for the ten team league owners with 18 roster spots, it’s more for the deep leagues that hold 53+ players and have 14+ teams.

Julius Thomas, TE DEN

julius_thomasThomas may be the most well-known player I have discussed in all of my six summer sleeper articles.  It’s kind of amazing considering the third year player has one reception for five yards in eight games played (four in 2011 and four in 2012).  His story is an amazing one as Thomas played four years of basketball at tiny Portland State University.  During his time playing hoops, he amassed 62 blocked shots and 520 rebounds which helped develop his quick hands and jump radius.  When he completed his basketball eligibility, Thomas played one season of football and did well enough to be invited to an all-star game and the Combine.

The Broncos thought enough of his skill set to draft him towards the end of the fourth round in the 2011 draft.  Thomas was very raw coming into the league, but always used his body well to shield defenders from the ball and has a huge wingspan that helped him make hard to reach receptions.  The third year tight end worked to improve his ability to gain separation with quickness and power, tracking the ball in the air, and coming down with it as easily as he could a basketball.  There were a few things that held him back his first two seasons – Thomas was an incomplete route runner as he tended to drift and he was not used to blocking defenders who were bigger and faster than him.  Also, he got hampered by an ankle injury for two years which resulted in off-season surgery.

The word out of camp is he is looking like a monster in practice.  One of his biggest fans is Demaryius Thomas, who sees a great deal of improvement from last year to this one.  The former Portland Stater received a few first team snaps in early 2013 practices and may push both Jacob Tamme (the starting move tight end) and Joel Dreessen (the starting blocking tight end) for playing time.  Thomas is big enough to man either spot at 6′ 5″, 255 pounds.  I’m not sure how many targets he will receive this year with the three wide receivers of Welker, Thomas, and Eric Decker.  Chances are he will not be fantasy relevant this season, but perhaps with Decker signing elsewhere next season or with the high number of plays the Broncos run, Thomas may squeak out some TE2 value.  According to myfantasyleague.com average draft position, he is being drafted as the 28th tight end.  Considering he could end up a third receiver, this is great value for him.

Tavarres King, WR DEN

The rookie has decent size at 6′ 0″, 189 pounds and speed as he ran a 4.47 forty yard dash.  On the surface, King is clearly behind those same three monster wide receivers (Welker, Thomas and Decker) and will have little impact this season if all stay healthy.  As this is dynasty, the former Georgia product may get his chance to see some gridiron action.

When you watch King, it is clear he is quite fast and explosive which makes him a dangerous deep threat.  The wide receiver is very smooth, has great body control and becomes a fighter with the ball in the air.  He does his best work in zone coverage as he can exploit defenders in open spaces and is an aggressive runner with the ball in his hands.

The rookie is not without his faults as he is a very sloppy route runner (which is a huge issue with a quarterback like Manning).  King also gets outplayed on the line of scrimmage against bigger stronger defenders.  He is not a good blocker, tends to use his body too much to make receptions and does not have a big catching radius as well. I’m not sure how much better a receiver he will develop into as he played behind AJ Green his first two seasons and never had a 1,000 yard or 50 reception season.

His upside may strictly be as an NFL WR3.  According to myfantasyleague.com average draft position, he is being drafted as the 21st rookie wide receiver.  While I like his deep ball skills, he will probably be best used in the slot where both Welker and Decker are more effective.  Unless the Broncos use more four or five receiver sets, King will be bidding his time – this may open up the door for Julius Thomas however as he is a multi-formational weapon.  Perhaps King and Thomas can form a strong bond through practice with second year quarterback Brock Osweiler as Manning cannot take more than two seasons worth of beatings.

The key in any dynasty whether it be in fantasy or the NFL, owners and general managers need to prepare for the future with the back filling of talented players.  Both Thomas and King can help you prepare for the next few seasons with a strong organization that committed to winning.

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