SB Nation • 13 min read

Future Broncos: A Tale of Two Wide Receivers

In our five Future Broncos segments to date, we’ve covered a lot of bases thus far. We kicked things off with analyzing the slate of picks the Denver Broncos hold the 2026 NFL Draft and what I believe

to be their biggest needs. Over the past several weeks, we have discussed various prospects to bolster the offensive and defensive lines, inside linebacker core , as well potential long-term solutions at tight end.

For today’s installment, I thought it might be apt to go over some of the wide receiver prospects available in this year’s draft. The Broncos wide receiver room has a lot of talent. Courtland Sutton has performed well to start the season continuing a trend that dates back to after the BYE last season. Both Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. have also flashed big-play ability through four games. While, I’m optimistic Pat Bryant can develop into a quality receiver, but the rookie wideout has just two receptions for 18 yards thus far.

When factoring in drafting for need it’s also important to keep tabs of the future. There are two realties to consider when contemplating whether or not the Broncos should utilize an early selection at wide receiver. Mims is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2026 season. Additionally, Sutton’s cap number will skyrocket to nearly $28.5 million in 2027, which is more than double what he is making in ‘25 and slated to earn in ‘26.

Given Denver’s large cap investments elsewhere over the next few seasons, I have a feeling this is a position group where they will continue to add through the draft. I think this year’s class of receivers looks pretty good. Listed below are two prospects that really piqued my interest

Chris Brazzell II — Tennessee Volunteers

At 6’5″ and 200 pounds, wide receiver Chris Brazell II certainly fits the physical profile Head Coach Sean Payton prefers at the position. Payton has emphasized routinely throughout his tenure in Denver how having big and physical receivers is preferable for his scheme. Brazell is prototypical X wide receiver that has the makeup and talent to be a long-term replacement for Sutton.

After spending his first two years at Tulane, the fourth-year collegiate wideout took his talents to the SEC last season. In thirteen games in 2024, he had just 29 catches for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. But this season, the Volunteers’ top receiver has taken his game to the next level. He already has notched 31 catches for 531 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season. For perspective, that is the second most yards and the most touchdowns of any player on college football.

His estimated 40-yard dash time is a shade under 4.5 seconds. However, his on the field athleticism looks a lot more impressive than that. He is a consistent separator that does a great job accruing yardage after the catch. With his frame and wingspan, Brazell does well at high pointing contested catches. There are a lot of great receivers across the nation, but he might have some of the best big play and downfield ability of any of them.

All things considered, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him be a first-round pick if he keeps dominating like he has to start the season. I’m particularly interested to seeing how he performs later this month going up against Alabama and early on in November versus Oklahoma. Let me be clear, I’m certainly not advocating for Denver to use its top selection next April on a receiver. Though I felt Brazzell was a name worth highlighting given the aforementioned.

Nyck Harbor — South Carolina Gamecocks

Over the years, the National Football League has seen a lot of premier talent with unreal athleticism take the league by storm. Two names that come to mind are Demaryius Thomas and Calvin Johnson. Both of them were gifted unreal physical abilities that played a big role in them becoming two of the most dominant receivers of their era.

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNoriss Sellers has a few options to throw the ball to, but junior receiver Nyck Harbor stands head and shoulders above the rest. At 6’5” and 235 pounds with an estimated 40-yard dash time around 4.3 seconds, you would be hard pressed to find any player in this year’s draft that has as much upside and potential. Like Thomas and Johnson, Harbor has unteachable traits that could help him become a dynamic playmaker if he ever becomes the sum of all his parts.

In thirteen games as a sophomore, the former five-star recruit reeled in 26 catches for 376 yards and three touchdowns. Through five appearances in ’25, the junior wideout has 11 catches for 220 yards and 1 touchdown. The consistency and production haven’t matched his impeccable traits, but with the right coaching he has the ability to get there.

From my viewings, he is at his best attacking the immediate level of the field on breaking routes, as well as deep levels of the field with vertical routes. Like a lot of other receivers, his route running and tree is a work in progress. He needs to get better operating on routes over the middle of the field and do a better job catching in traffic. Nevertheless, he has the track star speed to peel the lid off the top of opposing defenses.

As I mentioned earlier, the production doesn’t match the traits thus far, but the collegiate season is still young. He has five consecutive matchups going against ranked opponents including LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas & AM through early November. How he fares in those matchups will have a significant impact on his draft status.

If he succeeds, being an early pick next Spring seems like a certainty. If not, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he went back to school for his senior season. Even so, fans of the draft that like SEC matchups will have plenty of opportunities to check him out over the next month and a half to see if he passes more than just the eye test.

Other Wide Receiver Prospects to Watch:

I felt the reason to feature Brazzell and Harbor because I believe they are firmly in the ‘X’ role of draft prospects that could become viable long-term replacements for Sutton. However, there are a lot more than just those two to keep your eye on. In fact, the best draft eligible prospects are listed amongst the names below. Feel free to share some of your favorite receivers in this year’s draft in the comments section.