Denver Broncos will not tender WR Bennie Fowler III

The Denver Broncos entered the offseason with four restricted free agents. They used an original round tender on former Oakland Raider Shelby Harris late last week. And this morning first tendered center Matt Paradis and then outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett at the 2nd round level.

And the fourth? As expected based on reports from last week, wide receiver Bennie Fowler III did not receive a tender from the Broncos and will become an unrestricted free agent. And that’s a great decision by the Broncos.

Fowler, a rotational 3rd/4th/5th receiver for the Broncos, amassed just 58 catches and 733 yards in his three years on the roster. He’s been part of a disappointing group of depth players in the Broncos’ relatively static wide receiver corps, along with fellow UFA Cody Latimer and exclusive rights free agent Jordan Taylor.

With the partnership of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders facing an expiration date in the next year or so, it’s time for the Broncos to bring in some new blood at wide receiver. Letting Fowler walk is an important step in that, clearing the way for second year players Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie to get more chances to prove themselves. Look for the Broncos to possibly add a rookie WR into the mix in the mid to late rounds of the 2018 draft as well.

The Broncos’ next QB will need good, reliable weapons, and the Broncos’ decision to part ways with Bennie Fowler is an encouraging step in that direction.