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KJ Hamler, WR DEN (1 Viewer)

grateful zed

Footballguy
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — If Jerry Jeudy added to the Broncos' receiving corps, KJ Hamler then transformed it.

When the Broncos drafted Hamler with the 46th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, they added a player with explosive speed and more positional versatility.

With Hamler on the roster, the Broncos now have a fully built-out receiving corps. In Courtland Sutton, Denver has a proven Pro Bowler with a 6-foot-4 frame and the ability to box out cornerbacks to make jaw-dropping catches. In Jeudy, the Broncos have a player with tremendous route-running ability. And in Hamler, Denver has next-level speed.
https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/how-wr-kj-hamler-fits-with-the-broncos

 
Broncos selected Penn State WR K.J. Hamler with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Hamler (5’9/178) is an unpolished and undersized playmaker with the potential to be a downfield mismatch as a young (21 in July) rookie. He compiled a 56-904-8 receiving line during his age-20 campaign last season while operating as Penn State’s big-play weapon. A hamstring injury prevented him from competing at the NFL Combine, where he undoubtedly would have timed in the 4.3s. On tape, Hamler won from the slot and out wide as a lid lifter and manufactured-touch weapon similar to Curtis Samuel or Ted Ginn. Hamler's size limits him in traffic, but his biggest college issue was his hands. He tied for the most drops (12) in the Power 5 per PFF. If that gets cleaned up, Hamler should eventually earn a WR2 role with some development. The Broncos are surrounding big-play QB Drew Lock with chunk-play potential. 

Apr 24, 2020, 8:12 PM ET


NFL Media's Lance Zierlein compares Penn State WR KJ Hamler to Dallas Cowboys WR Tavon Austin.

Comparisons to Tavon Austin were high praise once upon a time. Now, a comparison to Austin signals that Hamler (5'9/178) may be more of a role player than a legitimate receiving threat. Zierlein hits on Hamler's route running as an issue, calling out that his "route stems are disjointed and labored" and that he "needs to tighten his turns to keep from drifting." It's clear that Hamler is a threat once the ball is in his hands, but as Zierlein points out, it may take a couple years for Hamler to fix his route running enough to earn many targets.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Mar 5, 2020, 1:23 PM ET

 
There is a very clear history on players that size. In the 2nd round, there are players with higher fantasy ceilings I like.

 
Broncos.com's Aric DiLalla thinks KJ Hamler can make a “big impact” early in the season

Hamler has shown “flashes of greatness” at training camp. The Broncos have Hamler and Jerry Jeudy repping with the second team, something that should change as camp moves along. There’s a lot to like with Hamler’s profile — he played for powerhouse IMG Academy and was a three-year B1G 10 starter. Hamler is being drafted as the WR12 in rookie drafts.

RELATED: 

Jerry Jeudy

, DaeSean Hamilton

, Tim Patrick

SOURCE: denverbroncos.com

Aug 16, 2020, 11:34 AM ET

 
Broncos coach Vic Fangio said rookie WR K.J. Hamler (hamstring) will be "out a couple of weeks."

Even if Hamler is able to return prior to Week 1, a soft tissue injury makes his impact in the season opener highly doubtful. Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton will work from the slot in the rookie's stead, competing to man that position sandwiched between Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Any lingering effects would clearly ruin Hamler's rookie season altogether since his blistering speed is the main trick in his bag.

SOURCE: Ryan O'Halloran on Twitter

Aug 20, 2020, 1:35 PM ET

 
Broncos rookie WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) is expected to miss four weeks.

It’s worse than the two-week timetable given by coach Vic Fangio. Hamler now looks like a lock to miss Week 1.  With Hamler out, Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy should open the year in top-three roles.

SOURCE: 9News Denver

Aug 21, 2020, 7:07 PM ET

 
KJ Hamler (hamstring) was cleared to work on a side field with trainers.

Hamler has missed the last 10 days of practice. He was given a 2-4 week timetable but is ahead of schedule. Hamler still looks on the wrong side of questionable for Week 1.

SOURCE: denverbroncos.com

Aug 29, 2020, 11:59 AM ET

 
ESPN's Jeff Legwold writes KJ Hamler (hamstring) "could potentially start the year on injured reserve."

Hamler tweaked his hamstring in training camp and is set to miss at least a few weeks. The Broncos have a few receivers they want to keep on their initial 53-man roster, so Legwold believes there's a chance that Hamler is stashed on injured reserve similarly to how they treated Drew Lock's injury last season. That would cost Hamler three games, but he'd likely be fully healthy for October and beyond. Regardless, the Broncos three-receiver set for Week 1 seems set. Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick are the projected starters.

SOURCE: ESPN.com

Sep 2, 2020, 2:26 PM ET

 
Not sure where Jeff Legwold gets his information...but according to Broncos beat writers Hamler has been in pads at practice working on the side with trainers the last two days.

Going from there to IR seems like a stretch IMO.

https://www.milehighreport.com/2020/9/2/21418420/live-updates-day-15-broncos-camp
I think Hamler to IR is because Broncos have a shot ton of WR's and TE's they want to keep.  IRing Hamler for the first three weeks kicks the can down the road.

Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, Patrick, Hamilton, Spencer (KR specialist), and Tyrie Cleveland has impressed.  so that's 7 WR's.

Albert O, Fant, Vannett, Butt, and Beck (FB/TE)   - 5 TE's.  

Between the above, Broncos are cutting (or PS) Fumagalli, Fort, Benson, Hilton (who has been having a good camp), Winfree.

If the Broncos can hide someone on IR for a few weeks, they can protect someone they likely would have cut for a little bit at least.

 
I think Hamler to IR is because Broncos have a shot ton of WR's and TE's they want to keep.  IRing Hamler for the first three weeks kicks the can down the road.

Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, Patrick, Hamilton, Spencer (KR specialist), and Tyrie Cleveland has impressed.  so that's 7 WR's.

Albert O, Fant, Vannett, Butt, and Beck (FB/TE)   - 5 TE's.  

Between the above, Broncos are cutting (or PS) Fumagalli, Fort, Benson, Hilton (who has been having a good camp), Winfree.

If the Broncos can hide someone on IR for a few weeks, they can protect someone they likely would have cut for a little bit at least.
Maybe I'm not current on recent rules changes...but I thought players weren't eligible to return from IR for six weeks (practice) and eight games?

https://www.ninersnation.com/2020/5/29/21273968/nfl-rule-changes-teams-can-now-return-three-players-from-the-injured-reserve

Please ignore above: Now up to speed on recent IR changes...previously thought it only applied to COVID-related IR designations. That would make sense if only three weeks.

Side question: do you think Butt will make it? That would be a sweet TE room.

 
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Maybe I'm not current on recent rules changes...but I thought players weren't eligible to return from IR for six weeks (practice) and eight games?

https://www.ninersnation.com/2020/5/29/21273968/nfl-rule-changes-teams-can-now-return-three-players-from-the-injured-reserve

Please ignore above: Now up to speed on recent IR changes...previously thought it only applied to COVID-related IR designations. That would make sense if only three weeks.

Side question: do you think Butt will make it? That would be a sweet TE room.
I do.  TE & WR is suddenly deep.  Amazing how quickly it turned around from last year.

 
Maybe I'm not current on recent rules changes...but I thought players weren't eligible to return from IR for six weeks (practice) and eight games?

https://www.ninersnation.com/2020/5/29/21273968/nfl-rule-changes-teams-can-now-return-three-players-from-the-injured-reserve

Please ignore above: Now up to speed on recent IR changes...previously thought it only applied to COVID-related IR designations. That would make sense if only three weeks.

Side question: do you think Butt will make it? That would be a sweet TE room.
The only caveat to this is that players "must have been placed on the applicable Reserve List after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the final roster reduction".

For practical purposes, this means that he has to make the final roster.  If he is placed on the IR prior to this, he is out for the season.

 
The only caveat to this is that players "must have been placed on the applicable Reserve List after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the final roster reduction".

For practical purposes, this means that he has to make the final roster.  If he is placed on the IR prior to this, he is out for the season.
Interesting.  So Hamler would have to make the 53, go on IR and then Broncos would then re-sign someone.  Means, they expose a player to waivers first.  It's probably Butt (or a DB) that gets waived and resigned if this is the plan.

 
I think Hamler to IR is because Broncos have a shot ton of WR's and TE's they want to keep.  IRing Hamler for the first three weeks kicks the can down the road.

Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, Patrick, Hamilton, Spencer (KR specialist), and Tyrie Cleveland has impressed.  so that's 7 WR's.

Albert O, Fant, Vannett, Butt, and Beck (FB/TE)   - 5 TE's.  

Between the above, Broncos are cutting (or PS) Fumagalli, Fort, Benson, Hilton (who has been having a good camp), Winfree.

If the Broncos can hide someone on IR for a few weeks, they can protect someone they likely would have cut for a little bit at least.


Maybe I'm not current on recent rules changes...but I thought players weren't eligible to return from IR for six weeks (practice) and eight games?

https://www.ninersnation.com/2020/5/29/21273968/nfl-rule-changes-teams-can-now-return-three-players-from-the-injured-reserve

Please ignore above: Now up to speed on recent IR changes...previously thought it only applied to COVID-related IR designations. That would make sense if only three weeks.

Side question: do you think Butt will make it? That would be a sweet TE room.
They can't do 3 weeks, there's still an 8 game minimum (changed from 8 week minimum this year) even if it's done after the season starts.

 
They can't do 3 weeks, there's still an 8 game minimum (changed from 8 week minimum this year) even if it's done after the season starts.
I don't think that's true.

The 2020-only rules, which become effective after 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 6, will allow the team to remove any player with a football or non-football injury from the roster for three weeks. After three weeks, the player will be eligible to return to practice. Once he returns to practice, the team will have 21 days to place him back on the active roster.

 
I don't think that's true.

The 2020-only rules, which become effective after 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 6, will allow the team to remove any player with a football or non-football injury from the roster for three weeks. After three weeks, the player will be eligible to return to practice. Once he returns to practice, the team will have 21 days to place him back on the active roster.
Perhaps.  From the link prior:

https://www.ninersnation.com/2020/5/29/21273968/nfl-rule-changes-teams-can-now-return-three-players-from-the-injured-reserve

As part of the adapted bylaw, the NFL also voted to approve a change in return procedure: while players previously had to sit out eight weeks before being allowed to rejoin the active roster, they will now have to sit out eight games. The proposal reads as follows:

Now that link's older, so maybe it's talking about just the overall rules changes, and yours being more recent supercedes it for 2020 only.  That's great news for teams and players if so.

 
I think Hamler to IR is because Broncos have a shot ton of WR's and TE's they want to keep.  IRing Hamler for the first three weeks kicks the can down the road.

Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, Patrick, Hamilton, Spencer (KR specialist), and Tyrie Cleveland has impressed.  so that's 7 WR's.

Albert O, Fant, Vannett, Butt, and Beck (FB/TE)   - 5 TE's.  

Between the above, Broncos are cutting (or PS) Fumagalli, Fort, Benson, Hilton (who has been having a good camp), Winfree.

If the Broncos can hide someone on IR for a few weeks, they can protect someone they likely would have cut for a little bit at least.
Btw, I nailed it WRT the WR and TE roster spots.

 
Broncos WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) was "limited" on Thursday. 

Hamler's health has taken on increased importance after Courtland Sutton banged his shoulder at the end of Thursday's session. Sutton is now undergoing an MRI. Even if Hamler is cleared and Sutton is out, the rookie speedster will be little more than a WR5 dart throw. There is now way he will be ready for a full complement of snaps. 

Sep 10, 2020, 4:41 PM ET

 
Broncos WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) is "running and cutting at full speed."

There was buzz that Hamler was expected to miss two or three games with his training camp hamstring injury, but it looks like Hamler is at least questionable to play the season opener. The Broncos may be forcing the issue following Courtland Sutton's shoulder injury, but it's good news that Hamler is working at "full speed" a few days before the Monday Night game versus the visiting Titans. Hamler could be the third receiver if he's truly healthy and Sutton misses as expected. Even then, Hamler is a wait-and-see player in one of the shakiest offenses in the NFL.

SOURCE: 9news.com

Sep 11, 2020, 7:18 PM ET

 
Broncos WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) is officially questionable for Week 1 against the Titans.

Hamler is slightly ahead of schedule following his training camp hamstring injury. He was a limited participant in practice all week leading up to the Monday night contest, and the Broncos may force him into playing if Courtland Sutton (shoulder) ultimately misses the game. Hamler has elite speed and big-play potential but likely is buried on the target totem pole early in the year. His snap counts are worth monitoring in deep leagues.

BET Slant:

Bookmakers have moved this line all the way up to Tennessee -3. The injury bug is serious right now for Denver. Von Miller is out while Hamler and fellow wideout Courtland Sutton are questionable.

Sep 12, 2020, 3:42 PM ET

 
KJ Hamler (hamstring) is inactive for Week 1 against the Titans Monday night.

Hamler was questionable but didn’t get the green light. Also inactive for the Broncos are Courtland Sutton (shoulder), LB Mark Barron, OG Netane Muti, OLB Von Miller (ankle), TE Albert Okwuegbunam, and DT McTelvin Agim.

Sep 14, 2020, 8:57 PM ET

 
Broncos coach Vic Fangio expects KJ Hamler (hamstring) to practice in full for Week 2 against the Steelers. 

Hamler was almost ready to go for Monday's opener against the Titans, but the Broncos decided to exercise extreme caution, even with Courtland Sutton (shoulder) sidelined. Hamler is oozing with big-play upside, but his NFL debut could scarcely be coming in a tougher matchup. He will be best left on benches in 12-14 team re-draft leagues. 

SOURCE: Mike Klis on Twitter 

Sep 15, 2020, 2:34 PM ET

 
KJ Hamler caught 3-of-7 targets for 48 yards in the Broncos' Week 2 loss to the Steelers. 

Hamler saw a surprising number of targets in his first action of the season, mostly playing out of the slot in the Broncos' pass-heavy second half. Hamler is worth a stash in deeper leagues with multiple flex spots. The Broncos could be forced to throw plenty in negative game flow after losing Drew Lock and Courtland Sutton to injuries. 

- Rotoworld

 
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First NFL game and this dude is out here smoking Joe Haden, tapping his toes for a sideline grab.

Hamler is better than Jeudy, that’s my opinion. Chicken legs can have some sick fake outs sometimes, but isn’t as efficient with his movements, nor as fast. This is why Hamler got separation and Jeudy not-so-much.

 
Is this a sneaky pick up?
yeah. Sutton is out for the year and Hamler looked like he belongs. other side of the coin is Drew Lock looked awful and was hurt yesterday so Hamler's looking at Jeff Driskell at QB for the next few weeks or months depending on Drew's AC joint/not playing well problems

 
Hamler flashes a lot of speed/ability. Comps have him as a Curtis Samuel/Ted Ginn Jr. type, PlayerProfiler has him as DeSean Jackson. I'm not sure Patrick or Hamilton are ahead of him so he could be the third passing option on that offense (Jeudy/Fant/KJ) if everything breaks right. Depending on the league you play in (12/14/16?) you probably can get him off waivers w/o for free since everyone will flock to Jeudy.

 
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Kent Weyrauch

‪@KentWeyrauch

K.J. Hamler is going to be a sneaky pickup this week that has seen similar utilization as Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb thus far. Both Jeudy and Hamler with expected increase in role with Sutton done for the year now too.

9/22/20, 9:57 AM
ESPN and sleeper use a rotowire blurb on Hamler's player page which insults him, says he struggled to get open against the Steelers. Yahoo's info has no condescending tone but makes no endorsement for his services either. In none of the mentioned formats is he among the top added.

I'm saving my waiver money and taking a chance nobody puts in for him.

 
KJ Hamler is expected to have an "increased role" with Courtland Sutton (knee, IR) out for the season.

Hamler outsnapped (62%) and saw the same amount of targets (7) as Jerry Jeudy in Week 2. He’s locked in a top-three role with Sutton’s injury, though the Broncos are expected to play Tim Patrick opposite Jeudy in two-wide sets. Hamler looks healthy after missing the last month with a hamstring injury. The second-round rookie has big-play upside in an offense that will likely be in negative gamescripts.

SOURCE: denverbroncos.com

Sep 23, 2020, 11:04 AM ET

 
Already nabbed him for free after waivers. The signs were there (snap count/injuries) and his skillset points to across-the-board usage in the slot/deep routes/running plays. We'll see how he's used.

 
Already nabbed him for free after waivers. The signs were there (snap count/injuries) and his skillset points to across-the-board usage in the slot/deep routes/running plays. We'll see how he's used.
Don't worry about usage. He's already way better than Tim Patrick and Desean Hamilton. Those guys are bums. He will be on the field as much as chicken legs.

The offense doesn't use a lot clear out patterns, but Hamler is more than a deep threat anyway. He gets open. Obviously the quarterback situation is a concern but the targets will be there.

 
Just spent all my BBIDs for him in one PPR dynasty league. No way I'll find someone with his upside and opportunity at this point so why not?? Choo Choo

 
Hamler flashes a lot of speed/ability. Comps have him as a Curtis Samuel/Ted Ginn Jr. type, PlayerProfiler has him as DeSean Jackson. I'm not sure Patrick or Hamilton are ahead of him so he could be the third passing option on that offense (Jeudy/Fant/KJ) if everything breaks right. Depending on the league you play in (12/14/16?) you probably can get him off waivers w/o for free since everyone will flock to Jeudy.
He's got a chance to be really good as soon as this year. Just seems to have "it". He was my last cut off the Subscriber Contest team because they were saying 3-4 weeks with the hammy issue and that's not great for the contest. Already regretting leaving him off the team. 

 
Ask Aric: Is Jerry Jeudy ready to step up?

Excerpt:

Hey Aric, I'm a big fan of KJ Hamler. Do you think he can become a big piece of what we're doing this year? — Martin S.

Martin, I was definitely impressed by the second-round pick in his first NFL action, and it's clear his speed can do wonders for this offense. I'll give you a couple of examples: On his first catch, a 17-yard gain late in the first half, his vertical speed challenged the cornerback, and Hamler was able to gain plenty of separation on an out-breaking route to the sideline. Later in the game, in the fourth quarter, he again closed the distance between himself and the cornerback. Because the cornerback has to respect Hamler's ability to blow by him, that means Hamler gains the upper hand with any type of comeback route. He also made a contested catch on third down as he lined up on the outside. Drops were a bit of a knock on Hamler coming out of college, so I was impressed to see him make that catch. Finally, his positional versatility makes him interesting. He lined up in the slot and on the outside, and he set up in splits that were both close to the offensive line and along the boundary. When he's lined up with a short split from the offensive line, I'd imagine that increases what the Broncos are able to do. He has the speed to get out to the boundary, so you want to give him room to run and create separation. He also can push a defender deep and work back to the middle of the field. The Broncos will need to take an occasional deep shot to Hamler to keep defenses honest, but they're always going to respect a player's ability to take the top of the defense. Especially with Sutton out, Hamler should gain valuable experience and be a featured part of this offense.

 

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