Of any position group on the roster, wide receiver might offer the most untapped potential for the Denver Broncos. Led by Courtland Sutton, the franchise has their reliable and trusted ‘X’ target in their offense for their upcoming 2025 campaign. After that, it’s a heated competition with several players vying for more opportunities in the Broncos’ aerial attack.
Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant all have their stock rising after impressive outings throughout the summer. While he figures
to play a role in Denver’s offense, Devaughn Vele’s second year progress has slowed from a knee injury that has limited his ability over the summer. Just how good could the Broncos’ wide receiver group be? That’s one of the great mysteries as the advent of the regular season approaches.
Finding himself in rarified air, Mims has earned himself Pro-Bowl and All-Pro appearances as a returner to start his career. Generating over 1,100 all-purpose yards in each of his first two seasons, the former Oklahoma Sooners standout is poised for his best season to date. Late last season, he hit his stride as a unique player and had multiple highlight reel catches and returns that helped ignite the offense. If all goes as planned,
With Franklin, the Broncos have and up-and-coming receiver with big play ability. His speed and athleticism cause problems for opposing defensive backs coming off the line of scrimmage. The second-year pro from Oregon added weight and muscle this offseason and has been a standout performer over the past month of team activities. If he and Bo Nix can connect at a higher rate than last season, Denver’s offense could ascend to new heights.
But Broncos Country, don’t count out the rookie from Illinois. The Broncos’ brass took Bryant in the third round in the 2025 NFL Draft, several rounds higher than evaluated consensus. His size, physicality, and mental toughness aligned perfectly with what Head Coach Sean Payton was looking for to round out his wide receiver room. Against the Arizona Cardinals, Bryant shined with more opportunities and earned praise from his coach for his efforts.
“I thought it was good. It was good to get him the ball,” stated Payton after Bryant’s four catch, 70-yard performance against the Cardinals. Though it just wasn’t the rookie receiver’s receiving skills that stood out. His ability to be an asset as a run blocker also stood out on film. That will certainly give him an opportunity for increased playing time.
“There are certain stature receivers maybe that are going to be further away from the ball, but we’ve always favored a bigger receiver. They’re more durable. It’s not to say that we don’t have players that maybe aren’t as big, but certainly if you want to run the football, you have to be able to handle the force with those guys. You just have to,” added Payton with respect to Bryant’s run blocking ability.
With only so many targets to go around, I’ve discussed the difficulties determining who gets what target share in the Broncos’ passing offense. That’s a good problem to have. All things considered, I wouldn’t expect top-tier numbers from any of the receivers. Though I have no doubts they will have a high rate of efficiency when targeted.
The diverse skill set of the receivers give the Broncos unique ways to deploy them. Payton’s one of National Football League’s best play callers. Moreover, he has a history of maximizing the opportunities that skill position players get when called upon. We saw that last season. It took some time, but Mims’ role evolved to where he was one of the most productive players when targeted.
This season, Payton believes the wide receiver room has even more talent and flexibility to make them less predictable than others. He noted that rather than specific designations, his plan is to get them as much experience as possible in different spots in different groupings and packages.
“I think some teams are more predictable with where the ‘X’ is, and the slot and the ‘Z’. Then the term, the No. 1, the No. 2, I get all that. They’re all going to play in different roles. We probably are a little bit different with our rotation substitution patterns that you guys can decide who two is, and three is and four is.”
That variation should help the Broncos’ young group of receivers offer the element of surprise and help them make an impact for team in ‘25. Rest assured, Payton’s going to do his best to find a way to get them the ball. Based on past history, Broncos Country should trust he will find ways to scheme them up to make them as successful as possible.
“There’s going to be a role if they’re dressing, and they’re getting on the field. They’re not going to line up in the same spot all the time. I think that would be the easiest way to describe it.”
