Stokley: WR Henderson could provide Broncos with needed ‘juice’

As players and coaches hit the practice field down at the UCHealth Training Center this week for OTAs, onlookers will get a first clear look at how Denver Broncos offseason makeover will shake out.

And though one of those main draft pieces, third-round wide receiver Carlos Henderson, may not be participating, as he and the team have not agreed on a deal as of this week, “Stokley & Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley said he believes the rookie wideout could provide much needed “juice to the Broncos offense.

“You want a guy who can be able to catch that five-yard pass and turn it into 12 yards, break a tackle, make a play, who can take it the distance. You need guys that are explosive, the juice. You need some juice,” Stokley said on Monday. “And that’s a guy like Carlos Henderson, a guy who a quarterback can throw him that three-yard out pass and he can turn it into a 20-yard gain.”

Henderson figures to make a push for the slot receiver role on the Denver offense, behind Pro Bowl receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, along with the return game.

But Stokley cautioned that it may take Henderson a while, even up to a year, for him to “feel comfortable” in the NFL.

“It could take a while. It could take a year before you feel comfortable. I know it took me a while — it really did — before I felt comfortable, and I just did mainly outside stuff,” Stokley said.

The Broncos need a slot receiver now, though, Stokley said, which means the best route for Henderson to take is to dive head first into the deep end.

“I think, when you look at Carlos Henderson, we need a slot receiver this year. And I think the best case and the best situation for him is you throw him in there right away,” Stokley said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.