Did K.J. Hamler live up to expectations his first year with the Broncos?

John Elway doubled down on electric receivers in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. After snagging Jerry Jeudy with the 15th-overall pick, the Denver Broncos went back to receiver, drafting speedster K.J. Hamler in the second round.

Although Hamler wasn’t able to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine due to a hamstring injury, there was a belief he would have been even faster than Henry Ruggs, the first receiver taken in the draft.

There were high expectations for the rookie coming out of Penn State, not only as a receiver, but as a playmaker. Did Hamler and his electricity live up to those high expectations his rookie season?

Expectations entering the season: 48 receptions; 592 receiving yards; 6 TDs; 26 receptions for a first down

Actual output in 2020: 30 receptions; 381 receiving yards; 3 TDs; 17 receptions for a first down; 13 games played

Did he live up to expectations? Not quite

Unfortunately and fittingly—for his name and because he is a speedster—Hamler was hampered by hamstring injuries throughout 2020. Not only did his hamstring limit him at the combine, but it sidelined him for a significant amount of training camp and multiple games throughout the season.

Once he got on the field, however, he was quick to takeoff. In Hamler’s first eight games of the season, the 5-foot-9, 178-pound receiver brought in 25 passes for 275 yards—a pace of 50 receptions for 550 yards over 16 games. What was surprising about his early success was he was doing it mainly as a possession receiver, displaying that he is more than just a big-play threat.

Although Hamler cooled down in the final stretch of the season, he did flash his electricity. In Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers, Hamler had not one, but two long touchdown receptions from Drew Lock—the first for 37 yards and the second for 49 yards.

Vic Fangio, who isn’t known for dishing out unearned praise, was very complimentary on the rookie throughout the entire season.

“I just think once he got back off his two injuries that kind of robbed him of most of training camp and the early part of the season, I really think he showed what he can do and what he’s capable of doing and was getting more and more confident,” the head coach said as the season wrapped up. “He just needs a good stretch of work, practice, and games to fully realize his full potential and for us to fully get him in there and utilize him the right way.”

While Hamler’s season stats didn’t live up to the high expectations, he displayed he has the ability to be a playmaker, which the Broncos so desperately need, and a possession receiver.

In his rookie season, Hamler displayed he has the ability to thrive in the NFL. His availability, on the other hand, will be the key for him developing and producing more his second year in the league.