Going into training camp, the Denver Broncos possess quality depth at wide receiver as they get ready for the 2023 NFL season. Under new head coach Sean Payton, one of the biggest questions surrounding the position this upcoming season is whether or not he can maximize Jerry Jeudy and others to help the Broncos offense finally take off.

Denver Broncos wide receiver depth is extensive heading into training camp

How can Sean Payton maximize the Denver Broncos offensive production considering their overall depth heading into training camp. Like every training camp, the wide receiver position usually contains the most players at the position ahead of the regular season.

Can Payton effectively utilize Jerry Jeudy?
One of the biggest dynamics that helped change the Denver Broncos offensive direction toward the end of last season was making Jerry Jeudy the focal point in the passing game. His explosive finish to the season showcased that the offense and other players inside of the system found success when Jeudy was moved around the field, making it difficult for opposing defenses to try and bracket him.

In the Broncos’ final two games of the regular season, Jeudy was considered the most dangerous man on the field for opposing defensive coordinators because they could never really devise a game plan to isolate Jeudy and take him away without somebody else coming up big.

Jeudy’s route running ability and positional flex versatility benefit him to play in motion, on the outside, or inside the slot as the number two or number three receiver. After an offseason of trade rumors, Jeudy can finally take a breath heading into camp as he looks to take an even greater leap under Payton’s coaching and direction.

The vibe around Dove Valley ahead of training camp is that Jeudy will be in line for a career-best year. If Payton can move him around and Russell Wilson can find him, Jeudy very well could turn in his most productive season as a pro yet, despite finishing 2022 with over 1000 all-purpose yards.

Courtland Sutton can still be a big-time playmaker
After an up-and-down 2022 season, Courtland Sutton looks to reestablish himself as an explosive downfield, big-sized threat. During Broncos OTAs, Sutton has gotten bigger in his upper body and looks as explosive as ever in his route tree.

Last season, Sutton struggled with several drops, but the entire offense struggled to find any rhythm. After being subjected to some trade rumors in the offseason, the Denver Broncos stood pat and will proceed forward with Sutton as a major part of their offensive plans under Sean Payton. If Payton can maximize the different strengths of Denver’s various wide receivers, Sutton can benefit when defenses try to focus on eliminating Jerry Jeudy across the middle of the field.

Sutton feels like the one big-named player on offense who fans seem to have written off, but 2023 is a great chance for him to remind them of his talent. There is a growing sense of optimism that the Broncos’ offense will be better under Payton more than it ever has been since Sutton has been on the team — and if that’s the case, Sutton’s production should be efficient, barring any injury.

Tim Patrick’s return opens things up for the Denver Broncos offense
Tim Patrick was the one player on offense last season who the Broncos desperately missed. His big play capability, especially on third down, would have helped Denver’s offense.

During his last two seasons playing, Patrick caught 104 passes combined, with 72 of those catches moving the chains for a first down, according to Pro Football Reference.

In 2020 and 2021, Patrick hauled in a combined 11 touchdowns for the Broncos offensively while catching touchdown passes from various quarterbacks. Throughout his career, Patrick has been quarterback-proof. During training camp last season, Patrick and Russell Wilson looked like they had built some strong rapport with each other before he suffered a torn ACL during training camp — ending his season.

The 6’5 veteran wide receiver has aggressively attacked his physical therapy and looked good during Broncos OTAs and minicamp. Payton and the Broncos have been smart with their approach regarding Patrick, easing him into the mix.

Once training camp rolls around, the general expectation is that Patrick will continue to progress in being able to do more, but the main goal is to ensure he’s ready to go for the start of the regular season.

Other Denver Broncos wide receiver storylines and notes
Speed is an important element to have in today’s NFL, and the Broncos have several players with speed that can make a difference. KJ Hamler, rookie Marvin Mims, Montrell Washington, and Jalen Virgil are four names to keep an eye on during training camp.

Hamler is coming off a surgically repaired torn pectoral muscle and should be good to go for training camp after being limited during minicamp. Mims didn’t participate much in OTAs while he dealt with an injury of his own, but he should also be ready for camp barring any setbacks.

Washington is looking for a chance to do more on offense after primarily serving as a kick return and punt return option last season. He possesses all of the necessary traits to be a good return option under a newly revamped special teams unit but will have to showcase that he can impact the offense to sustain a roster spot.

Virgil was the Denver Broncos 2022 undrafted gem who made the 53-man roster after a stellar preseason campaign. He caught his first career NFL touchdown against the Tennessee Titans last season but began to make an even bigger team impact by emerging as one of the team’s top gunners on special teams. He’ll have to prove himself again to a brand new coaching staff.

Kendall Hinton has been one of the most reliable utility player options the Broncos have had on their roster in quite some time. Emerging into a fan-favorite ever since he stepped in to play quarterback, ironically against Payton and the New Orleans Saints back in 2020. As camp approaches, Hinton’s continued ascendence and development at the wide receiver position is worth monitoring.

If it weren’t for the additions of Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Marquez Callaway, it’d be safe to assume that Hinton could still secure his role as the potential fifth or sixth WR on the active roster this upcoming season. Humphrey and Callaway’s previous familiarity with Payton and how his offense works gives them an advantage over most players at the position going into camp.

Both players have equally impressive size, but Callaway was the one player between the two who stood out during OTAs and could be a great compliment to Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offense.

One player to keep an eye on is former undrafted rookie free agent Brandon Johnson who spent most of last season on the team’s practice squad before being elevated to the active roster due to injuries at the position. He caught his first career NFL regular season touchdown in the Broncos’ 23-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.

Throughout OTAs, Johnson has been playing a multitude of different roles at wide receiving, including where Patrick would normally align — hauling in several passes from Wilson and getting downfield. He’s created some positive momentum for himself heading into camp and will look to continue to build on it.

The final player that outlines the Broncos’ wide receiver room heading into training camp is undrafted rookie free agent Taylor Grimes, who comes over for his first training camp after playing his college football at Incarnate Word. Throughout OTAs and minicamp, Grimes has been consistent with his technique. He hasn’t been in too many positions to make plays, but his route running and the angles he takes to gain leverage as a blocker has stood out.

He can continue to build on these things as training camp approaches, but even if he doesn’t make the active roster, Grimes is somebody to keep an eye on as a practice squad addition after the preseason concludes.

Denver Broncos wide receiver position overview
Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler, Kendall Hinton, Marvin Mims, Montrell Washington, Taylor Grimes, Marquez Callaway, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Jalen Virgil, and Brandon Johnson construct the training camp roster at wide receiver.

Storylines to watch at WR

  • Can Jerry Jeudy explode inside of Sean Payton’s offense?
  • Will the Broncos finally get to see Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton, and KJ Hamler all together for the first time ever?
  • What type of role will Marvin Mims play on offense this upcoming season?
  • Could Marquez Callaway be the Broncos’ under-the-radar contributor?
  • How many receivers will the team carry into the regular season
  • Are Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton, and Marvin Mims the only locks at receiver going into camp?

What’s next?
Denver Broncos training camp officially kicks off on July 28 at the Centura Health Training Center.