Report: Bennie Fowler unlikely to be back with the Broncos

According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos are unlikely to bring back restricted free agent wide receiver Bennie Fowler for the 2018 season.

Per Klis, it seems unlikely that the Broncos will extend a low-level, $1.91 million contract tender to Fowler. This would allow him to hit the free agent market as an unrestricted free agent.

The former undrafted free agent played three seasons with the Broncos and totaled 56 receptions for 698 yards and 5 touchdowns. This past season he totaled 16 receptions for 203 yards for the Broncos offense.

With Fowler now expected to leave, the Broncos will be looking for a number three receiver for their offense. Klis names Danny Amendola, Taylor Gabriel, Bruce Ellington, Donte Moncrief and Eric Decker as potential free agent options to replace him on the roster.

One in-house option is 2017 third-round pick Carlos Henderson. He had a rough rookie year for the Broncos. First, he reportedly showed up to Training Camp out of shape and then suffered a season-ending injury. Then recently was arrested for a marijuana charge that could get him suspended by the league. So it is hard to count on him being that number three guy for the Broncos.

Cody Latimer is another in-house option, but Klis states that he is also expected to test the free agent market. So that doesn’t leave much on the roster currently for the Broncos.

I’d expect them to look for a wide receiver in the draft as well. Free agency will depend on how high they will take a receiver, but they are flush with draft picks to fill multiple needs including receiver.