As the saying goes, ‘iron sharpens iron,’ and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has liked what he’s seen from the team’s wide receiver room, which features a lot of healthy competition. What is Payton looking for in his evaluation to help shape up the final product of what the receiver position will look like?
Denver Broncos WR room features some of the deepest competition Sean Payton has seen
The Denver Broncos have a good problem on their hands as the NFL preseason push continues. They have a loaded group of wide receivers with different sizes and skill sets that have brought a lot to the table during the practices we’ve seen during training camp. Whether that’s Courtland Sutton’s size and explosiveness or Marvin Mims’ next-level speed, Denver has options, and while that is a good thing, it also can be problematic as Payton and his staff look to build the best 53-man roster. With the large volume of players, Payton acknowledged that the ongoing competition at the position is the healthiest and deepest as he’s seen. So, what are the factors that help determine those final decisions that are looming in just two weeks’ time?
“Yesterday we spent a lot of time on personnel,” Payton said. “Sometimes the nod is kicking-game related, sometimes the nod might be experience. There’s a lot that goes into it. I agree with your first statement, more than I can recall anywhere the depth and competition at that position group. I think we potentially have guys that may end up playing for another team. It’s still early in the process; it’s a real good question, and it’s the reality of this camp right now. These guys are working hard, and it’s a good problem to have.”
Veterans in that room feature Sutton, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Phillip Dorsett, who have experience, and some of them possess size, another factor Payton wants for his offense. Behind those players, there are a handful of young, talented players like Mims, Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, David Sills, Michael Bandy, and rookies Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin.
On paper, their top four depth could be projected as Sutton, Patrick, Reynolds, and Mims, and in the last two weeks, Devaughn Vele, a key rookie standout, has made it hard to ignore that he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.
How many receivers the Broncos might carry could be anywhere between five or seven, and an argument can be made that seven at the position gives them one of the deeper rooms they’ve had in recent years, with endless potential to contribute on offense and special teams. Some players on this roster could find their way back on the practice squad, but Payton and his staff are focused on building the best 53 — with a burning desire to have a competitive offense this season, he’ll look at every potential scenario and situation to put that unit in a position to succeed.
