But what about a wide receiver? 🧐

Written by 5280 Contributor: Sean Baldwin

Alright Broncos Country, how are we feeling? I’m, personally, far more optimistic about our chances of taking the West from the Chiefs than I have been in many years now. Free agency has been incredible so far. At the time of the last article I wrote, we still hadn’t signed Evan Engram. That has changed and he is officially a Bronco. Immediately after agreeing to terms, he shared a gif on X, formerly Twitter, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you really need to check it out. While it’s unofficial that Engram will be filling the joker role that Sean Payton has continuously talked about, it sure seems like he will be the guy for that role, and he thinks so too.

​Just because we signed Engram does not mean we won’t still draft a tight end, but it does mean the pressure to draft one has been severely reduced. We have no need to look at trading up in the first round to secure a tight end anymore, although I was never convinced this was ever going to take place anyway. While pick 20 is low to snag a generational player, the cost to move up to select a tight end would have far outweighed the talent they would have gotten. This draft class is incredibly deep at both tight end and running back.

Now I know that most people think taking a running back in round 1 is stupid but there’s a case to be made that Denver does not share this philosophy. Sean Payton has never been shy about getting his guy when he has the chance. If his #1 running back is available at 20 and none of his other #1 guys at their respective positions are still available, I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled the trigger on a running back in round 1. That said, the other side of the coin is that the running back class is as deep as the tight end class is. Selecting a running back in round 1 feels like a fools pick when the talent separating the players at the top isn’t enough to panic pick at 20 or trade up for a back. I’ve seen many say we need to make sure Ashton Jeanty is a Bronco no matter the cost and try as I might, I just can’t get on board with this ideology. Jeanty likely will be generational, but Sean Payton’s offense does not need, nor would it effectively use, a generational running back talent.

​I’m far from a Sean Payton expert, and even further from a draft expert, but in my humble opinion, I don’t believe for a second we will draft a running back in round 1. So, what will the Broncos do? If you believe the people on X, there is any one of about 25 players that Payton wants to draft in round 1. That leaves a pretty big guess as to what the Broncos will do. I will say that there are still key positions, that should the right player be available, the round 1 pick could shock some people. Greenlaw and Hufanga stabilized the inside linebacker and safety positions, respectively, and bringing DJ Jones back keeps the defensive line intact from last year. A defensive line, mind you, that produced the most sacks in a single season in Broncos team history, BUT there still could be a defensive end that the Broncos like enough to spend a round 1 pick on.

​The obvious answer for the draft is either a wide receiver or a running back. Afterall, they are key areas that need to be addressed and haven’t been yet. Payton has been saying, since the season ended, that he really likes the wide receiver room and doesn’t feel like they need to make a big addition there to be competitive. If you can believe anything from Payton’s mouth this time of year, that leaves the debate to a running back or a defensive end. I’m looking forward to the debate leading up to draft night for one very important reason, the Broncos are not in the market for a starting quarterback this offseason. So, take solace, Broncos Country, the most important position in football has been filled and we are finally getting back to our winning ways. Debate away, and remember, Sean Payton and George Paton have a history of excellence on draft night so don’t be discouraged if your guy isn’t their pick.