The NFL offseason marches on as the Denver Broncos shift their sights on late-tier free agency moves and the NFL Draft. Broncos Country sent in their questions for this week’s installment of our mailbag.
Denver Broncos Mailbag: Who replaces Lil’Jordan Humphrey on offense?
If you’d like to have your mailbag questions featured every week here on the website, send them to cody@milehighsports.com or on Twitter @CodyRoarkNFL.
Who replaces Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s role on offense? – Jeff in Littleton.
Last season, Lil’Jordan Humphrey had a consistently solid role inside of the Broncos offense. He played nearly 50% of the team’s offensive snaps and was somebody Sean Payton clearly trusted. Humphrey wasn’t a game-changer in the passing game by any means, but he was always a player who did the dirty work — blocking on the perimeter and following scramble drill rules in the situations that warranted it.
ICYMI: Broncos Film Room: Talanoa Hufanga brings a dawg mentality to Denver’s defense
With that said, the Broncos aren’t losing a superstar here, but an established role player. Now, that means somebody else has to step up, which makes it the perfect opportunity for Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin to do more. Vele seems like more of a fit to play Humphrey’s role in Payton’s offense, while Franklin comes in as the team’s Z-receiver, where he’ll likely be used downfield in the vertical passing game and on short/intermediate routes.
Vele actually played 53% of the team’s offensive snaps in 2024 compared to Humphrey’s 50%, according to Pro Football Reference. He’s the ideal, in-house candidate that the Broncos appear confident in to do more this season, and I’d expect that we’ll see him used downfield more in 2025 than we did last season.
Trent Sherfield was not a signing who is expected to come in and play a lot on offense, though he can contribute if needed. Sherfield will be a primary special teams option and isn’t going to be a Humphrey replacement.
Are there any free-agent veteran wide receivers the Denver Broncos should still look into before the NFL Draft? – Dak in Chandler, Arizona.
There are still a handful of veterans I feel would be fitting for what the Broncos would be looking for from a team role standpoint, locker room culture fit, and security blanket for Bo Nix. Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and Tyler Lockett are the three names that fit those three categories. Veterans like Stefon Diggs and Diontae Johnson are available, but they don’t necessarily fit what the team is looking for from a culture and role standpoint.
Lockett will likely land in Vegas to reunite with Geno Smith and Pete Carroll at some point this offseason, so cross him off of the list. Allen and Cooper have yet to sign anywhere but would provide the Broncos with proven veteran production and leadership. These players would not be brought in to be pivotal parts of the offense but would have more of a role-player designation to them.
What’s more important? Drafting a backup tight end or wide receiver in the NFL Draft? – Doug in Denver.
This is a great question. Obviously, the Denver Broncos are in a position where they can add the best player available to compete for a starting job or as a depth option. With Evan Engram coming in as the ‘Joker’ and move-around receiving piece at the position, it scratches an itch they have.
Some people are adamant that Engram won’t play in-line, but I’d put money on it today that he’ll play more in-line than some anticipate. He’s going to be a move around piece that will put his hand in the dirt from time to time. Behind him, Adam Trautman is a reliable veteran option who might be able to do more as a pass catcher this season with him not being the number one tight end.
The Broncos should add a Terrance Ferguson or Gunnar Helm, in my opinion, to add to the depth of the room, with beyond 2025 in mind.
Wide receiver is where I feel a bit indifferent. It’s not a big need for them, but it never hurts to add to that room. The Broncos are banking on the continued development and progress of players like Marvin Mims, Vele, and Franklin this season while seeing what A.T. Perry has to offer during training camp. Is it safe for them to stand pat with what they have? I like their young talent at the position, and it’s clear the Broncos and Payton feel the same way, but you’re always one injury away from having to accelerate your plans for a player who is developing.
