JUNE 18, 2021 • PFF.COM
KJ HAMLER #19 - WIDE RECEIVER - BUFFALO BILLS
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2021's Fantasy Breakout Wide Receiver: K.J. Hamler | Fantasy Football News, Rankings and Projections | PFF Examining the second-year fantasy performance of comps for Denver Broncos wide receiver K.J. Hamler in search of second-year breakout wide r...
Dealing with minor hamstring issue Hamler was limited in practice Tuesday due to what coach Vic Fangio called a "tweaked hamstring", Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Impact The injury doesn't seem serious according to Fangio, but the team wants to be cautious with its second-year wide receiver. Hamler will likely continue to be limited over the next week or so until his hamstring fully recovers. The former Penn State standout will look to break out after catching 30 of 56 targets for 381 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie.
JUNE 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos waive 2nd veteran who got hurt training on his own
The Denver Broncos have waived DaeSean HamiltonMAY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP source: Broncos WR DaeSean Hamilton injures knee offsite
A person with knowledge of the details tells The Associated Press receiver DaeSean Hamilton has sustained a serious knee injury while working out away from the Broncos' headquarter...MAY 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Turns in up-and-down rookie year Hamler caught 30 of 56 targets for 381 yards for three touchdowns while adding 40 yards on nine carries in 13 games during his rookie season.
Impact Hamler was the second receiver the Broncos selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he arguably had some bigger moments than first-round pick Jerry Jeudy. The Penn State product's top highlights came Week 8 -- when he caught the game-winning touchdown against the Chargers -- and Week 14, when he scored twice against the Panthers. On the negative side, drops and injuries were an issue for the rookie. His 12.5 percent drop rate was third-worst mark in the league, and he struggled with a hamstring injury early in the year and missed most of the final two games of the season with a concussion. Hamler was pressed into more work than the Broncos likely expected after Courtland Sutton (knee) was sidelined for the season after Week 1, but Sutton's return to full health ahead of the 2021 season could push Hamler down to fourth on the depth chart at receiver.
JANUARY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Will finish season on IR Hamler (concussion) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact Hamler was already ruled out for the season finale against Las Vegas, so this move was made to open a roster spot. The rookie second-round pick finished the 2020 season with 30 receptions (on 56 targets) for 381 yards and three touchdowns over 13 games.
JANUARY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Out this weekend Hamler (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Raiders, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Impact With Hamler ruled out for Denver's season finale, DaeSean Hamilton should be in line for an uptick in snaps and targets at wide receiver in Week 17 alongside starters Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick. Hamler, meanwhile, concludes his rookie campaign with 30 catches (on 56 targets) for 381 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games.
JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Set to miss practice Hamler (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Impact If Hamler isn't cleared for Sunday's game against the Raiders, DaeSean Hamilton would be in line for added Week 17 wideout snaps alongside Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick.
DECEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Leaves Sunday's game Hamler exited Sunday's game against the Chargers due to a concussion, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com
Impact Prior to leaving the game, Hamler didn't catch a pass, but he did rush once for three yards. Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick remain on hand to head Denver's Week 16 wideout corps.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
WATCH: KJ Hamler, Allen Robinson introduce new Nittany Lions The former Penn State stars played a role on Signing Day.
DECEMBER 22, 2020 • 247SPORTS.COM
Crashes back to earth Hamler caught one of four targets for four yards in Sunday's 48-19 loss to the Bills.
Impact Hamler enjoyed a breakout in Week 14 against the Panthers when he caught two passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie second-round pick couldn't replicate that success, finishing with fewer than 25 receiving yards for the sixth time this season.
DECEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
K.J. Hamler: How Broncos WRs are building trust with Drew Lock Denver Broncos WR K.J. Hamler joins
DECEMBER 18, 2020 • NFL.COM
Collects pair of long TDs Hamler caught two of three targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 32-27 win against Carolina.
Impact Hamler wasn't a high-volume target within the Broncos' passing attack Sunday, but he cashed in on limited opportunity by notching two second-half touchdowns of 37-plus yards. The Penn State product had been seldom capable of finding the end zone coming into Week 14, tallying just one TD over the first 10 appearances of his NFL career. Given Hamler's game-breaking speed, Drew Lock's willingness to throw deep balls could provide for a seamless match if the two can continue to build chemistry over time.
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Can't-Miss Play: Drew Lock unloads cannon for 49-yard TD to K.J. Hamler Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock unloads cannon for 49-yard TD to wide receiver K.J. Hamler against the Carolina Panthers.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 • NFL.COM
Drew Lock goes DOWNTOWN for 37-yard TD to K.J. Hamler Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock goes DOWNTOWN for 37-yard TD to wide receiver K.J. Hamler against the Carolina Panthers.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 • NFL.COM
Fourth-quarter drop proves costly Hamler caught two of his five targets for 16 yards, adding two rushes for 13 yards during Sunday night's 22-16 loss to Kansas City.
Impact Not including the Kendall Hinton experiment Week 12 against New Orleans, Kamler has posted multiple receptions in each of his six outings since Oct. 25. Drops continue to be an issue, however, as the second-round rookie has already posted six on the 2020 campaign. Hamler's third-down drop near midfield with 6:13 to go in the fourth quarter hurt Denver dearly, as the Broncos only received possession once more, ultimately proving unable to score given 64 seconds and no timeouts from the team's own 25-yard line. Hamler stands with 27 receptions, 291 yards and a touchdown on the season, as the Broncos travel to Carolina in Week 14.
DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Loses yardage in loss Hamler lost eight total yards on two carries during Sunday's 31-3 loss to New Orleans.
Impact Hamler was not targeted in Sunday's contest as the Broncos attempted just nine passes with rookie wide receiver Kendall Hinton forced in at quarterback. The Broncos tried to utilize Hamler's elusiveness in the jet-sweep game, but New Orleans had little reason to bite without the threat of a pass. The good news for Hamler is that Drew Lock, who had connected with Hamler on 14 passes in the previous three weeks, will be back in the lineup Sunday night against the Chiefs. The bad news is that Hamler was limited to 34 total yards and fumbled twice during Week 7's snowy meeting.
DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Collects four receptions Hamler caught four of six targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Dolphins.
Impact After three straight weeks of playing more than 75 percent of the snaps on offense, Hamler curiously logged just 58 percent of the snaps in Sunday's win. His decrease in usage was likely related to Drew Lock's protection as he played through a rib injury because the Broncos opted for more two tight-end sets than usual. The rookie second-round pick still managed to put up a decent day despite the limited usage. He now has 14 receptions for 140 yards through the last three games.
NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
‘The elite guys have to do that’: The unexpected way that KJ Hamler is contributing to the Broncos’ offense "I think Jeudy and I are capable of making big plays and being mature like [vets]," Hamler said Tuesday.
NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Leads team in targets Hamler caught four of 10 targets for 50 yards during Sunday's loss in Las Vegas.
Impact Hamler kicked Denver's offense into gear in the closing minute of the first half, coming across the middle and turning up field for a 27-yard gain that helped put the Broncos in striking distance right before the half. Hamler was hampered by a hamstring injury through training camp and into the season and was averaging a respectable 4.5 targets per game in his first four outings of the year. The rookie out of Penn State has now been targeted 10 times in each of the last two weeks as his speed has sometimes been too much for the corners he often draws. The Broncos haven't yet been able to make Hamler a consistent deep threat, but his ability to take short passes and quickly head up field should be helpful against a Miami defense that is unlikely to let Denver's quarterback, whether it's Drew Lock (ribs) or Brett Rypien, sit too long in the pocket.
NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Double-digit targets at Atlanta Hamler secured six of 10 targets for 75 receiving yards during Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Falcons. He also registered a 15-yard rush on his lone carry.
Impact Hamler eclipsed his previous career high in targets by three, also doubling his pre-existing best of three receptions during Sunday's defeat. Though Tim Patrick did score one of two wide receiver TDs while nearly equaling Hamler with nine targets of his own, the rookie proved to be significantly more explosive with his 12.5 yards-per-catch average. Hamler and Patrick fit in as the second and third options at WR behind Jerry Jeudy heading into the Broncos Week 10 matchup against the Raiders' 25th-ranked pass defense.
NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Snags game-winner Hamler caught all three of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 31-30 win over the Chargers.
Impact Following a pass-interference penalty against the Chargers, the Broncos had one second to complete the comeback. Drew Lock rolled out, and when the defender came up to defend against the keeper, Hamler came open along the sideline for a a one-yard score. The rookie second-rounder has struggled to establish himself this season with recurring hamstring injuries and a revolving door at quarterback. Sunday might have been Hamler's chance to turn the corner. The next step in his development will be to emerge as the deep threat the Broncos drafted him to be. Next week's matchup could be a good opportunity to get there as the Falcons rank fifth worst in the league in yards per opponent catch, surrendering 12.2 yards per reception.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Can't-Miss Play: Lock flicks CLUTCH game-tying TD to Hamler as time expires Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock flicks CLUTCH game-tying TD to wide receiver K.J. Hamler as time expires.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Fields, No. 3 Ohio State expect No. 18 Penn State's best
No. 3 Ohio State is taking nothing for granted heading into a visit to 18th-ranked Penn StateOCTOBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Snares two passes in blowout loss Hamler corralled two of three targets for 24 receiving yards during Sunday's 43-16 loss to Kansas City. He also fumbled twice, but neither loose ball was recovered by the Chiefs.
Impact Though Denver was unable to generate a single passing touchdown Week 7, it was at least a balanced attack, with eight different Broncos contributing two or more receptions. Hamler made his first contribution on the final play of the second quarter, registering a 21-yard catch-and-run as time expired in the first half. The Penn State product was otherwise held quiet in what was his first appearance since aggravating a hamstring injury Oct. 1. Having made it through the contest with no issue, he's seemingly ready to go for a Week 8 matchup against the Chargers' No. 23 pass defense.
OCTOBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
