As training camp rolls along, the position group battle at wide receiver continues to heat up. The Denver Broncos will showcase Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle as their dynamic duo for the 2026 season. However, who will fight their way to the third option in the Broncos’ aerial attack is yet to be determined.
Denver had quarterback Bo Nix throw more than any other quarterback in 2025. The acquisition of Waddle will undoubtedly amplify their aerial production. Alas, there are only so many targets
to go around and this receiver group is a strong five deep.
Behind Sutton and Waddle, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant all have unique talents and skillsets. From early camp reports, Mims and Bryant appear to be making the most plays of the trio. Though there is still a lot of time left before the regular season to decipher who will rise to the top.
Marvin Mims Jr.
A second-round selection in 2023, Mims has made a lot of big plays in the Mile High City. Touting two All-Pro and Pro-Bowl nods for his return skills, fans know his impact on special teams. Yet many have always wondered when—if ever—will Mims take flight as a receiver.
After an impressive 2024 season, I was convinced Mims would be featured more in ’25. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In fact, he ranked behind Sutton, Franklin, and Bryant in snap count. Mims had a high catch rate, but not nearly as many explosive plays down the field compared to his second-year efforts.
Mims has been a highlight reel during camp thus far. His penchant for hauling in deep passes has been on display. For several years now, Head Coach Sean Payton has often been asked about Mims’ involvement in the offense. And virtually every time he acknowledges they need to get him the ball more. Will this finally be the year that happens?
Troy Franklin
In his second season, Franklin was big part of Denver’s passing plans. In ‘25, he was targeted 104 times and came down with 65 receptions for 709 yards and 6 touchdowns. All those marks ranked second on the Broncos behind only Sutton who led every category. Nearly half of those catches resulted in first downs.
His odds of being that involved this season? Personally, I think zero. That’s just being brutally honest. The former Oregon Duck lined up at wideout 670 times last year. One can’t help but acknowledge Waddle’s presence on the team will cut his snaps drastically.
In 11 personnel packages, the team may prefer Bryant in many scenarios, especially due to his run blocking ability. When it comes to ball tracking down the field, I feel Mims’ ability in that respect is quite a bit better. Is there any particular area Franklin stands out at more than the others?
Pat Bryant
Picked in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Bryant earned a lot of reps as a rookie. Appearing in fifteen games with seven starts, the former Illini standout carved himself a nice role in Denver’s rotation. He logged 475 offensive snaps—the third most at the position.
Overall, Bryant reeled in 31 passes on 49 targets for 378 yards and 1 touchdown. An impressive 22 of those receptions resulted in a first down. Unfortunately, he suffered two concussions and a hamstring injury that limited his participation and impact down the final stretch of games.
Nevertheless, Bryant’s toughness, attitude, and inside-out flexibility have all been praised by Payton since being drafted. Yesterday, he noted crafting a role for the second-year wideout will be easy. Just how large of a roll may that be, perhaps top three in the wide receiver pecking order?
What do you think, Broncos Country? I’m not so sure there is a clear consensus on this one. Which player seems poised to earn the third spot in the Broncos’ receiving rotation? Let me hear all your thoughts in the comments section.
