The Denver Broncos managed to score 20 points in their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, but the team was completely misfiring on offense. Part of the problem was the receiver position.
The Broncos made some curious decisions at receiver after the preseason, starting with the release of Tim Patrick. While they gave Courtland Sutton the contract he was looking for, they didn’t get anything from fourth-round pick Troy Franklin, who now plays behind seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele.
On Sunday, receivers failed to stand out and Bo Nix averaged just 3.3 yards per pass attempt, an inexcusable number.
The Broncos see a problem, so on Tuesday the team decided to look at some outside options.
#Broncos had several WRs for testing, according to the thread:
Kaden Davis
Leon Johnson
Lance McCutcheon
Denzel MimsMims, a 2020 second-round pick, played 30 games for the Jets. Davis spent the summer of 2022 with Denver. McCutcheon spent time with the Rams, Houston and NYJ.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 10, 2024
There are a few recognizable names on this list. Denzel Mims was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but he was considered a failure because he played for four teams and had just 42 career receptions.
Kaden Davis was actually an undrafted player for the Broncos in 2023 and Lance McCutcheon, who might be the most intriguing name on this list, led the NFL in receptions in the 2022 preseason.
It remains to be seen if any of these players earn a contract with the team, but they would likely start on the practice squad.
Broncos receivers must be able to stretch the field
The broadcast team talked a lot about the size of the Broncos’ receivers during the Seattle game. But that’s just it, Sutton, Vele and Josh Reynolds (and Patrick, for that matter) are all similar receivers. But none of them are going to overpower the defense.
It’s hard to imagine any of the players the team studied Tuesday being capable of doing that. However, Marvin Mims Jr. proved he could.
One really has to wonder what the disconnect is between Mims and Sean Payton and why he doesn’t get more time on the court. Mims was given only 12 offensive snaps in week 1Meanwhile, Lil’Jordan Humphrey was on the court for 21 minutes.
This makes no sense and is something the team needs to change.
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