The Denver Broncos recently signed wide receiver B.J. West as an undrafted free agent shortly after the NFL Draft concluded.
West, who attended Alabama State University, faced the typical hurdles that players from smaller schools often encounter when attempting to break into the league.
Despite spending six years at Alabama State, West did not produce notable statistics. Additionally, he has made headlines for tying with Tony Jones as one of the lightest players in league history, weighing in at 142 pounds and standing 5-foot-8.
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Jack “Soupy” Shapiro holds the record as the lightest NFL player pre-merger at 119 pounds and 5-foot-1, as noted by Ryan Michael, a BCT Statistician for the Denver Broncos Flagship.
It’s puzzling to pinpoint exactly what earned West a contract given his unremarkable collegiate performance and diminutive size. However, the Broncos likely have a specific role in mind for him, possibly related to the league’s new kickoff rule, which could utilize his unique attributes.
The potential for West to make an impact under the new XFL-style kickoff could prove the Broncos’ decision to be either a stroke of genius or a misstep. Should the latter occur, West could find himself on the practice squad.
The last significant achievement for the Broncos was their Super Bowl 50 victory, which marked quarterback Peyton Manning’s final NFL game. Since then, the team has struggled, barely managing to finish a season above .500, and has continuously faced challenges at the quarterback position, which remains a significant concern heading into 2024.
