Denver Broncos wide receiver Kendall Hinton is ready for an impact role this season. As the Broncos prepare to report for training camp, Hinton will compete with other receivers for a spot on the final roster.

Despite the amount of talent the current receiver room has, Hinton is in a prime position to demonstrate why he can be a reliable target for Russell Wilson.

The Broncos starting quarterback shared high praise for the undrafted gem out of Wake Forest this offseason during organized team activities.

“Kendall is doing an amazing job,” Wilson said. “He has a special gift—his gift of getting open, his wiggle and his ability to accelerate and make plays. I remember watching the film, and there was a certain game—it was the Cowboys game. He caught a skinny post route and just took off. His ability to get open, his ability to make plays near the red zone and how he catches it—he’s got that football instinct.”

Having played the quarterback position himself, Hinton understands the importance of the relationship between the receiver and the man under center.

A look at Hinton’s production in 2021

Last season, Hinton started one game and appeared in 16 games for the Broncos in 2021. Despite Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick having a primary share of position production last season, the undrafted wide receiver demonstrated reliability when called upon.

Entering his third season in the NFL, Hinton’s role within the Broncos offense could see an increase in value within new head coach Nathaniel Hackett’s offense.

From a production standpoint, Hinton averaged 11.0 yards per reception last season. Even without receiving a high volume of targets, he had 15 receptions on 23 targets for 175 yards and one touchdown.

Broncos quarterbacks had an 84.4 QB rating when targeting Hinton last season.

Where can Hinton contribute in his role?

When the Broncos take the field this season, they’ll have the flexibility to be creative with the personnel that takes the field. In passing situations, the Broncos could match up against a dime defense and utilize multiple receivers on routes.

Where Hinton comes into the picture could be in third-down situations. 10 of his 15 catches last season moved the chains for a first down to keep drives alive for the Broncos’ offense.

If Hinton can beat out Travis Fulgham during training camp, he could thrive in a WR5 role that favors him getting open if opposing defenses focus their attention on players like Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Jerry Jeudy.

The Denver Broncos will report to the UCHealth Training Center on Tuesday, July 26 for the start of training camp.