The Denver Broncos have stuck to their claim that they love their current wide receiver room, and the addition of Jaylen Waddle makes it even more dangerous as Bo Nix heads into his third season.
Denver Broncos WR room loaded with talent and depth after Jaylen Waddle trade
The Denver Broncos pushed their chips in further on Tuesday after trading for former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, adding him to a deep receiver room.
Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant project early on paper to be the Broncos’ primary five receivers going into the regular season. Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Michael Bandy could be practice squad contributors once again.
Waddle’s arrival gives them a dynamic weapon who will likely move around and play everywhere. As Davis Webb transitions into his playcalling era under Sean Payton, the more weapons for soon to be third-year quarterback Bo Nix, the better.
Sutton saw constant attention from the defenses last season, bracket coverage on key third-down situations, and opposing units dared the Broncos to beat them in other ways.
That’s how we saw the rise of Franklin and Bryant in their roles last season. Mims wasn’t used how he should have been until injuries in the post-season forced the Broncos’ hand, and the speedy wide receiver proved that he needs to be used more and can be a difference maker.
Payton doesn’t believe in his receivers staying at one spot, X, slot, or Z. He wants them to play everywhere, and the approach is smart. Having this loaded group of receivers know every role is important, and will allow Payton and Webb to take advantage of specific matchups on a week-to-week basis, or they can force a specific matchup based on who is on personnel-wise on defense.
With Mims, Waddle, and Franklin, Denver has three legit speed options. Pair that with Sutton’s size, Bryant’s route-running ability, and hands, and the Broncos offense on paper has everything they need to be more explosive this upcoming season.
If the Broncos run game consistency can improve, everything will open up for Nix and this offense, and it should have the Broncos right back in the Super Bowl contender conversation.
