Carlos

Henderson

He added a solid 36-inch vertical and especially impressive 10-foot-11 broad jump, showing the lower-body explosiveness that made Henderson one of the NCAA’s best run-after catch receivers. While Henderson is primarily a slot man, he showed athleticism on Saturday that suggests he could be functional outside, as well. We like Henderson’s chances of going in the top-50 picks.

Henderson (5’11/199) turned pro following a breakout redshirt junior campaign, tallying an 82-1,535-19 (18.7 YPR) receiving line after failing to hit 800 yards in each of his first two seasons. Henderson returned kicks throughout college, scoring three times and finishing No. 2 in the nation with a 32.2-yard average in 2016. The top post-catch receiver in this year’s draft, PFF College charted Henderson with a nation-best 48 missed tackles forced last season. C-USA scouts told Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline that Henderson was “impossible to cover.” With 4.46 jets and an explosive broad jump (10’11"), Henderson profiles as a dynamic slot-flanker with field-flipping special teams value.

The Broncos now have all of their draft picks under contract. The Louisiana Tech alum will look to carve a role behind top wideouts Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders as a rookie. Henderson came in as the No. 7 wide receiver in Evan Silva’s dynasty rookie rankings earlier this month.

It’s a disappointing development for the Broncos, who drafted Henderson with the 82nd overall pick, and really need a slot receiver to work between Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Henderson is worth rostering in deeper Dynasty leagues, but missing his entire rookie year is a blow to his long-term outlook.

The team won’t have a timetable for Henderson’s return until after his Sunday operation. The No. 82 overall pick of the draft, Henderson caught one pass for seven yards in his preseason debut on Thursday. Having a quiet camp, Henderson is theoretically in the lead for No. 3 duties behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

We would consider Henderson more week to week, though it’s possible he could return this preseason. No. 3 duties are there for the taking for Henderson if he can get healthy.

A third-round pick last year, Henderson missed his rookie season with a torn ligament in his thumb. Henderson was also arrested for driving under the influence in January, but it sounds like he remains in the Broncos’ long-term plans. Both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are expected to stick around for 2018, but Henderson should be given every shot to earn the No. 3 job.

A third-round pick last year, Henderson missed his entire rookie season with a torn ligament in his thumb. Joseph hopes Henderson and fellow redshirt rookie Jake Butt can help take pressure off Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. “We saw a lot of where the safety and corner doubled D.T., the safety and corner double ‘E’ and left those (other) guys one-on-one,” Joseph said. “We have to find a way to attack those kind of coverages with our tight ends, with our slot and with our back so we can get more one-on-ones outside.” Henderson may not see enough targets to be a real fantasy factor, but he has the talent to be the third weapon the Broncos desperately need.

Henderson’s agent has said he’s dealing with a “family and personal situation,” but the team has maintained a tough love approach, suggesting they’re not buying the reason Henderson is gone. Whenever Henderson finally returns, he’s going to have a monumental task in regaining the coaching staff’s trust and solidifying himself on the depth chart.

Henderson remains AWOL from the Broncos after not reporting to training camp. He’s now been slapped with a drug ban. Henderson was already facing extremely long odds of making an impact in 2018. A third-rounder last year, Henderson is looking like another draft whiff by GM John Elway.