2 Recently-Drafted Broncos' WRs Have Low Odds for the 53-Man Roster
Every NFL team has those players that are guaranteed to make the roster. They're the easiest ones to project onto the 53-man roster, and even a team that went 5-12 the year before, like the Denver Broncos, has them.
Next up are the wide receivers, which has been made clear that Sean Payton wants to churn the position. Trade rumors were rampant leading up to the NFL Draft, but the Broncos reportedly didn't make a move because they didn't get an offer they liked. That has quieted down the rumors for now, but maybe they could pick back up as training camp starts and the season nears.
With 13 receivers currently on the 90-man roster, it will be a tough battle for almost everyone at the position. However, the question is, how many spots are open?
As I break down this position, players will be placed into three tiers reflecting their chances of making the roster. Here's a quick explanation of the three tiers that reflect the different percentage ranges that each player will fall into.
With that out of the way, let's examine the logjam the Broncos have a wide receiver and each player's odds of making the 53-man roster.
Tier 1: 70-100%
Courtland Sutton | Jerry Jeudy | Tim Patrick | Marvin Mims, Jr.
Outside of Mims, who was Sean Payton's first draft pick whom he also traded up to secure, no one is at the 100% mark. The question on Mims is how significant his role will be on offense as a rookie.
Typically, rookie receivers don't have a make an immediate impact, particularly those drafted outside the first round. However, Mims can bring explosive speed and playmaking ability to an offense that lacked it last year.
As for the other three, Sutton and Jeudy have been at the center of the trade rumors, but they seem likely to make the roster. Maybe as the season gets closer, teams will come back to the table and increase their offers for one of them, which might lead to a trade, but the Broncos seem set on moving into the season with both on the roster.
If Jeudy and Sutton do make the roster out of camp, the question remains as to whether they will make it to the end of the season or whether they could be moved near the trade deadline if the season isn't going as the Broncos hoped it would.
As for Patrick, his recovery from his injury makes him likely to return to the team. Unlike Jeudy and Sutton, his name also hasn't been at the center of trade rumors. The rumors and comments suggest Patrick could be the Broncos' top receiver this season in the Payton-led offense.
Tier 2: 40-69%
KJHamler | Jalen Virgil | Kendall Hinton | Marquez Callaway
Of this group, Callaway may have the best chance of making it. He has familiarity with Payton and what he does on offense. There also is some ability on special teams, which the Broncos needed desperately. While new to the Broncos, Callaway was a solid piece for Payton in 2021.
Both Hamler and Virgil can bring an explosive ability to the offense. However, they both have their issues.
Hamler couldn't stay on the field, and Virgil is still working to become a football player rather than a track star. Finding a spot on the practice squad seems more likely for Virgil, but Hamler could easily find himself on the outside looking in, searching for a new NFL team.
Hinton is a reliable receiver that has done well during his time in Denver. He could easily find himself on the practice squad if he doesn't make the roster.
Of course, that depends on Hinton not getting poached by another team. While there haven't been rumors around Hinton, they could crop up during camp as a team offers a late-round pick or two for the reliability.
READ: Broncos Roster Prediction: Revealing Each QB's Odds of Making it
Tier 3: 0-39%
Montrell Washington | Lil'Jordan Humphrey | Brandon Johnson | Taylor Grimes | Nick Williams
There are six spots open for wide receivers, with teams rarely going into the season with more than that. These five receivers are at the bottom, behind eight, competing for the practice squad in Denver or elsewhere. Their chances of making the roster are low, primarily because of how tough the room is.
Washington was a draft pick made for special teams by and for a coach fired before the 2022 season ended. What Washington put on the field wasn't even good enough for the previous coaching staff, who essentially benched him. That doesn't bode well for his chances to impress Payton and make it this year.
Humphrey and Johnson have a shot at the practice squad. With the type of receivers they are, there are multiple options above them, which makes their chances even slimmer.
As for Grimes and Williams, they are the new guys, with Williams being signed within the last week. They have a chance to surprise with so little known about them, but it would be tough for them to make it.
The Takeaway
The receiver room has a lot of potential, but that has been said about the room for a couple of years now. It's past time for them to realize their potential or major changes will come.
If the Broncos' offense is to take a turn for the better, it needs its receivers to step it up.
Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
