Dependent on Courtland Sutton for a few seasons now, the Broncos lost two of their wide receiver regulars in the playoffs. Both Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant went down against the Bills. Franklin missed the AFC championship game, and Bryant did not see much time in the snowy conference decider. Denver then swung big at the position.
Two years after trading Jerry Jeudy to the Browns, the Broncos acquired one of his former Alabama teammates in Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos paid a hefty price to add Waddle, sending first- third- and fourth-round picks to the Dolphins for Waddle and a fourth. Waddle’s arrival gives the Broncos a key piece alongside Sutton, and it also creates a bit of a logjam for the defending AFC West champions at the position.
Two seasons remain on Franklin’s rookie contract, while Bryant is signed through 2028. Marvin Mims may be the most affected player here, as he and Waddle have comparable skillsets. Waddle’s is much more refined, of course, as the Broncos have been hesitant to use the playmaking talent regularly in a receiving role. One season remains on the former second-rounder’s rookie deal. But GM George Paton does not envision any trade taking place from this group to help the Broncos recoup draft capital.
Paton said (via the Denver Post’s Luca Evans) no consideration is being given to unloading one of the team’s auxiliary receivers following the Waddle acquisition. On one hand, it would be wise to consider a move to potentially build up a weaker spot on the roster via the draft. On the other, the Broncos are in a key spot after the Russell Wilson dead money came off the books and with Bo Nix tied to a rookie deal. With Nix on the 2027 extension radar, the Broncos’ roster math figures to change in the near future. Making sure this year’s team is covered at wideout, however, also makes sense.
Denver also re-signed Sean Payton favorite Lil’Jordan Humphrey last month. Humphrey joined Mims as Sutton’s primary sidekicks in the playoffs, though the blocking receiver may struggle for time thanks to the depth the Broncos now have at the position. Mims also makes his main contributions in the return game, and while he has flashed brightly as a receiver, the Broncos have not felt comfortable using him regularly on offense. Franklin (709 receiving yards in 2025) played 59% of Denver’s offensive snaps last season; Bryant (378) logged a 48% snap rate. Mims (322) came in at just 37%.
It is worth wondering if Mims is in Denver’s long-term plans now that Waddle is in town, and given his penchant for pivotal long-range receptions, a nice free agent market should form in 2027 should the Broncos not extend the Oklahoma alum by next March. Although the Broncos did unload 2024 contributor Devaughn Vele in an August deal with the Saints (bringing back fourth- and seventh-round picks), the club’s stance is to roll with a sudden surplus for 2026.
The Broncos are also deep at the edge-rushing spots, having both Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper signed long term. Jonah Elliss has operated as the team’s top rotational rusher, but after a five-sack rookie season, the former third-round pick totaled 2.5 in an injury-shortened 2025. The Broncos also drafted Que Robinson in Round 4 last year and have ex-UFLer Dondrea Tillman as a second-string OLB option. As a result, Payton said (via Denver Sports 104.3’s Andrew Mason) Elliss will see some time at inside linebacker this offseason.
While Robinson did not see much playing time as a rookie, Tillman totaled four sacks and nine QB hits (to go with two interceptions). He tallied five sacks as a rookie. Jonah Elliss, who recorded 12 sacks in his final Utah season, also has an apparent path to catching on at ILB. Two of his brothers — Kaden and Christian — are starting inside ‘backers. Payton also saw how the Eagles turned Zack Baun — who floundered as a Saints backup EDGE — into an All-Pro ILB. The Broncos will see how Elliss looks there this offseason.
This is the reverse move the team made with Baron Browning, who started his career inside before kicking to an OLB spot. Elliss ended up replacing Browning following an in-season 2024 trade. The Broncos are weaker at inside linebacker compared to their EDGE posts, though the team did re-sign Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. Singleton is 32, while Strnad is entering an age-30 season. Jonah Elliss, the son of ex-Bronco D-tackle Luther Elliss, turns 23 tomorrow.
This will be an interesting experiment to follow in Denver, which still rosters hybrid linebacker Drew Sanders behind the expected starting duo of Singleton and Strnad.