What the Crowded Wide Receiver Room Means for the Denver Broncos

Over the past three seasons, the Wide Receiver position for Denver has been viewed as not only a position of strength but one of the best young units in the NFL. However, today with the unit underperforming and failing to stay healthy, the question has become what the crowded wide receiver room means for the Denver Broncos.

When the Broncos drafted Jerry Jeudy in the first round and K.J. Hamler in the second round of the NFL Draft, adding them to a room that included 2019 Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton and breakout starter Tim Patrick, the potential seemed endless for this group.

Where it went wrong:

That potential seems to have been ripped away before it could even start. During the first year of this group being together, Sutton was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Since then, he just has not looked the same. Not only has the production dipped with a 776-yard and 829-yard season back-to-back years, but the eye test just screams that Sutton has lost a step.

Speaking of injuries, that seems to be the theme of K.J. Hamler’s career in Denver. When he was drafted, the team had visions of him being their very own Tyreek Hill. A speed demon, gadget-type player that can make impacts all over the field. Unfortunately, he has only been able to play in 23 games in his career and has a total of three TDs. It hit an all-time low this offseason when he tore his pectoral muscle working out on his own.

His 2020 Draft Class member has also not been what the team imagined so far. The idea of Jerry possibly had a Davante Adams-like receiver. Lethal route runner who can get open in every coverage. While it is clear, he is one of the best route runners in the NFL, plagued with drops and inconsistent QB play has slowed down his career. The team did like his second half of 2022 enough to pick up his 5^th-year option, pointing out that the team still believes in him as a number one WR.

This unit hit an all-time low this last season when the most reliable WRs on the team tore his ACL in training camp. You could tell the moment it happened that losing Tim Patrick not only gutted the team on the field, but one of the leaders was gone, and it showed in their attitude. He was one of Russell Wilson’s favorite targets in the offseason, and it was clear the impact of losing Tim was immense.

One of the biggest talking points this offseason has been the conversation around the WR room and how they would change it up. While no major moves have happened yet, the Broncos have been working at upgrading that room.

 

Notable WR Additions:

The Broncos have really only made two noteworthy moves at the WR position. The first one came on March 24^th, when the team signed Marquez Callaway. The 6’2” 25-year-old was seemingly a non-factor for the Saints last season, with only 158 yards and one touchdown.

However, when you look at a year prior, it becomes a really interesting signing. In 2021, he led the Saints in yards with 698 while adding six touchdowns on 46 catches. While those numbers are nothing special to lead a team, those are ideal WR three or four numbers. The other interesting factor involved is Sean Payton.

2021 was Payton’s last season coaching the Saints. It does not seem like a coincidence that Payton immediately brings Callaway to Denver with all of the questions surrounding the WR room. Clearly, he believes in the kid and could have a role in place for him this season. If the team moves on from one of their guys on the roster and Callaway can have similar production as 2021, he could be a big signing for this team.

The only other notable move was made in the Draft. It would be one thing if the Brocnos used their first pick on a WR, but it seems to be something totally different the fact they traded up to take a WR. When the team took Marvin Mims, the rumors of what that meant started swirling again.

Marvin seems to be a natural replacement for what they were hoping K.J. could have been. The 5’11” WR out of Oklahoma ran a 4.38-second forty-yard dash in the Combine, and the speed translated on the field.

He averaged 20 yards per catch a season ago and was among the leaders in catches of over 20 yards in his last season in Oklahoma. Along with the deep threat he provides, it helps that he led the team in receiving every year in college. The elite production in college puts pressure on the current WRs to be at their best. Otherwise, Mims could easily take their spot.

What other moves could be made?

The most likely move seems to be a trade, but which WR would be the trade target? The Broncos picking up Jeudy’s option, his big second half of last season, and the high asking price seems to take him out of the equation. Tim Patrick is coming off a torn ACL and was Wilson’s favorite target in the offseason, so it does not seem like he is going anywhere. He is also the only WR not to have his name mentioned in any trade rumors.

That only leaves Sutton as the likely trade piece. The interesting thing about trading Sutton is that it will not be anytime soon. According to Over the Cap, if the Broncos trade Sutton before June 1^st, they would only save $6,791,176 while taking a dead cap hit of $11,475,000. At this point, past the Draft, it is useless to trade him then. That means waiting until after June 1^st.

If they wait until then, they end up saving $14,441,176, which is a significant savings jump. The only problem is they most likely would not receive much for him by trading that late into the offseason. As seemingly obvious as it seems, I would not be surprised if Denver holds onto Sutton since he is under contract until 2025 and see if he can get back to his old self with Russ and Payton. If not, a mid-season trade could be possible.

 

The only other move the Broncos could make that may lead to some answers is cutting K.J. Hamler. With his contract, it does not matter when he gets cut; the team will save $1,583,245, which does not sound like a lot, but when you have a top-five highest paid Quarterback, every little bit can help.

With him mostly likely missing a large chunk of next season and him already lacking in production means that trading for him seems unlikely, and with the team bringing in two starting quality WRs and having another speed-type receiver in Jalen Virgil on the roster for a cheaper price is not a good sign for Hamler.

 

The WR position for Denver has the potential this season under Sean Payton to be one of the best in the NFL, and at the price the team is paying for it, they can not afford for them to underperform for another season.