Jaylen Waddle trade shakes up Denver Broncos wide receiver room

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 12: Marvin Mims Jr. #19 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after teammate Troy Franklin #16 caught a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Highmark Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.

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What is the story about?

With the Denver Broncos pulling the trigger on a huge trade, the wide receiver room is going to be an interesting development. Sean Payton’s offense loves to spread the ball around. Waddle, at times, will be opening up other players because of the attention he will demand. But you can only put 11 players on the field at a time. What does this mean for our young wide receivers?

Marvin Mims, Jr.’s role isn’t likely to change much. While Waddle can do everything Mims does and more, there’s something

to be said about plays that put both Waddle and Mims on the field at the same time. Mims is still going to get his end-around plays. He’s also still going to get his deep targets off play action at times.

Patrick Bryant will keep his role as well. He’s the perfect #3 option in 11 personnel, offering smooth routes, good size, and consistent ability to convert 3rd downs when left one-on-one.

Troy Franklin is the guy who is going to have to really fight to find snaps in this offense. Waddle is the epitome of what Franklin would like to be, plus he has a far more solid build. If the Broncos can find a willing trade partner, they may look at getting some more draft capital, as otherwise, you are keeping a player on the team who doesn’t really have a future unless your plan is to release Waddle after 1-2 years.

That leaves us with Michael Bandy and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. One of those two isn’t likely to make the cut post-training camp. I like both of these players for their ability to get very few targets, but make positive plays for the team when they do. Humphreys also gets a bit of a nod for his blocking ability.

At the end of the day, the Broncos’ signing of Jaylen Waddle is a clear message to the receiver room that the standard is higher moving forward for this offense. If they want snaps and targets, the production had better be there when they get their opportunities.