Broncos WR depth chart: What addition of Jaylen Waddle means for Bo Nix, Denver offense

The Denver Broncos came within a win of the Super Bowl last season, but they aren't simply sitting around and waiting for the opportunity to come around again.

The Broncos made a splash with a trade for Jaylen Waddle on Tuesday, sending the No. 30 pick in the 2026 draft and two more picks to the Miami Dolphins to give Bo Nix a much-needed weapon in the receiving corps.

Waddle spent his first five NFL seasons with the Dolphins, setting career-highs with 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022 but failing to crack 1,000 yards in either of the last two seasons. Waddle has three years remaining on his contract, though his guarantees only run through 2027.

Here's an updated look at the Broncos' wide receiver depth chart with Waddle in the fold.

MORE: Full Jaylen Waddle trade details

Broncos WR depth chart

1. Courtland Sutton

Whether Courtland Sutton or Waddle will finish with more targets in 2026 remains to be seen, but we already know Sutton has a strong connection with Nix and fits in Sean Payton and Davis Webb's offense.

The veteran is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time and is averaging more than 75 catches over the last two seasons. Sutton's 13.7 yards per catch mark in 2025 was his highest over a full season since 2019, and he has scored a combined 25 touchdowns over the last three years.

2. Jaylen Waddle

For the price the Broncos paid, Waddle is at least going to be a co-star with Sutton. The former No. 6 pick has not been able to build on what looked like budding stardom after his 1,356-yard second season in the NFL, but he still put up 910 yards on 14.2 yards per catch in 2025 and is used to sharing targets with Tyreek Hill. 

3. Troy Franklin

After a late-season surge as a rookie, Troy Franklin took a big step forward in 2025 with 709 yards and six touchdowns on 65 catches. Franklin is a former college teammate of Nix, so he figures to remain a popular target in the Broncos' offense even if he doesn't have to shoulder so much of the responsibility in 2026.

4. Pat Bryant

Pat Bryant was the Broncos' third-round pick in 2025 and found his way onto the field as a rookie, racking up 378 yards and a touchdown on 31 catches with almost all of that production coming over his final eight games. While a major leap might now be difficult with Waddle in the mix, Bryant earned his way into Nix's circle of trust as a rookie.

MORE: Full grades for all 32 NFL teams in free agency

5. Marvin Mims

Marvin Mims has made his name as a returner in his three NFL seasons, but he has been part of some explosive plays as a wide receiver. He wasn't as effective as a pass-catcher in 2025, averaging only 8.7 yards per catch and scoring only one touchdown after a more productive 2024 campaign. With Waddle in the mix, Mims could be squeezed out of regular targets.

6. Lil'Jordan Humphrey

A favorite of Payton dating back to their time together in New Orleans, Lil'Jordan Humphrey returned for a second stint in Denver and third under Payton after being waived by the Giants in the middle of last season. Humphrey only had nine receptions in seven regular-season games with the Broncos, but he scored a touchdown in Denver's divisional round win over the Bills.

7. Michael Bandy

An undrafted free agent in 2020, Michael Bandy split 2025 between the active roster and practice squad, finishing the season with only four catches but scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in December. Bandy re-signed with the Broncos as a depth piece in February.

MORE: Full details on Chiefs' Justin Fields trade

How old is Jaylen Waddle?

Waddle is 27 years old and won't turn 28 until late November. With Sutton more than three years older, the Broncos could look to extend Waddle and make him one of the long-term focal points of their offense.

Jaylen Waddle stats

Waddle started his career with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons but hasn't hit that mark since, despite only missing three games over the last two years. Waddle finished 2025 with 910 yards and six touchdowns, playing through quarterback struggles in Miami and spending most of the season without Tyreek Hill on the field opposite him.