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WR Brandon Stokley, Denver Broncos

HT: 5-11, WT: 197, Born: 6-23-1976, College: Southwestern Louisiana, Drafted: Round 4

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: M Pittman (211), D Patten (212), Brandon Stokley (213), C Henry (214), S Smith (215)
Position: A Randle El (210-WR70), D Patten (212-WR71), Brandon Stokley (213 - WR72), S Smith (215-WR73), D Avery (216-WR74)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

Brandon Stokley is the prototypical slot receiver. His game is near perfect for that position and it shows on the field every Sunday. He was able to play in 13 games, and the production was consistent when he was healthy. The Broncos have multiple questions at the WR position for 2008. Will Brandon Marshall ever be the same? Who will step up as the #2 WR? But the one question they do not have is Brandon Stokley. He will never repeat his performance from the magical season of 2004, but Stokley is still very capable at the slot position. His numbers and consistent production will mean that once again Brandon will be a top 50 WR in the league.

Worst Case

Age is catching up with Brandon Stokley, and injuries have been adding up and taking their toll. The Broncos know this, and it's been reflected by their activity in free agency and in the draft. Stokley is the perfect slot receiver, but for how many more games/years? Denver is fully prepared to move on without Stokley if need be, and rookie Eddie Royal could be the first player to threaten his playing time. Even without an injury Stokley will face plenty of competition in the Denver WR corps and his numbers could indicate that at the end of the season. If Stokley were to lose significant playing time he would be a WR4 in the league, and most likely not crack the top 75.

Outlook

The Broncos need Stokley to provide that consistent production from the slot position that has been the hallmark of his career. Brandon is a favorite among the coaching staff, and the reasons why are obvious. He is the type of player that practices hard and plays hard. He is the perfect example for young/unproven players to follow. On the field one can expect Stokley's performance to match his 2007 numbers. He may play more games, but with the added weapons his numbers will be squelched, if even just a little.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Stokley looked right at home in the Denver offense and he is still a guy that defenses have a hard time covering.

Week 2 - Stokley caught all of his three targets for 43 yards, one that went for a nine yard score. He was used exclusively in three receiver sets, but was on the field for much of the day.

Week 3 - Stokley was not targeted until the second half, and caught everything thrown his way except one pass that was intercepted. He was used mostly on mid-range passes and was able to get open by running good routes.

Week 4 - Stokley was bottled up for most of the day, just registering 20 yards on two catches. Stokley appears recovered from his Achilles injury from last season, but has yet to establish a rapport with Cutler.

Week 5 - Stokley left the game after just one reception with what is being called a head injury. He was replaced by Glenn Martinez.

Week 7 - Stokley took advantage of his starting role by catching all but one of his looks, securing a first half touchdown, and generally being Cutler's go to receiver in the first half. He was second on the team in receiving yards and finished tied for second in receptions.

Week 8 - Stokley was the most targeted Denver receiver and was able to average just over 14 yards per completion. On his first grab of the game, he made a 22 yard reception on a third down that set up Denver's only touchdown. Stokley was also instrumental on Denver's drive that led to the game tying field goal when he made a seven yard catch on a fourth and two from the Broncos' 32 yard line.

Week 9 - Stokley caught an eighteen yard strike on Patrick Ramsey's first pass attempt of the game. He was quiet until late in the game when he added three more grabs, including a two yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Stokley nearly recovered Brian Clark's fumble in the end zone, but was narrowly beaten to the ball by a Detroit defender.

Week 10 - Stokley was another favorite target for Cutler, being aimed at eight times, but he only managed to pull in two of the passes.

Week 11 - Stokley started the scoring for the Broncos. His third down catch looked to be enough simply to move the chains, but he turned after the catch to precisely the right spot where he was able to run into the end zone for a score. He led the team in receiving yards.

Week 12 - With Javon Walker sidelined for much of this game, Stokley averaged ten yards per catch and provided Jay Cutler a reliable option over the middle of the field.

Week 13 - Stokley had only three receptions, but made them count. Stokley was wide open on a naked bootleg for a 58 yard catch. Had Cutler been able to throw the ball farther, Stokley would have had a touchdown. However, he had to stop and wait for the ball. All of Stokley's receptions came in the second half. He was targeted three times in the first half, and was open each time, but all of Cutler's passes missed the mark. Stokley got his hands on one of the passes, but was unable to haul it in. Stokley made a great effort to snare a diving catch on a fourth down play late in the game, but Cutler's pass led him too far and he landed out of bounds.

Week 14 - Stokley was strangely only targeted twice. He caught both passes including one for the Broncos first score of the game. This past week he signed a three year extension with Denver. He should be a dependable third or fourth receiving option for the Broncos in the future.

Week 15 - Stokley did not play in this game due to injury.