When the Denver Broncos begin roster cuts next week, coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton will have some very tough decisions to make at wide receiver.
There’s not room for all of the receivers on Denver’s 53-man roster, and Payton has said some of them might end up playing for other teams in 2024. The Broncos could make roster cuts easier if they’re able to trade one or two of their receivers in the coming days. Here are five candidates to keep an eye on.
1. Courtland Sutton: He is the team’s best WR and coming off a 10-touchdown season, but Sutton has drawn interest from teams over the last two years. Sutton has one more year left on his contract after this season. If Denver’s not planning to give Sutton an extension, the rebuilding Broncos could trade him before he enters his age-29 season.
2. Tim Patrick: Denver seems unlikely to draw much interest for a 30-year-old Patrick when he’s coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries, but Patrick was featured in the team’s second preseason game last week. Perhaps the Broncos were showing other clubs that Patrick is healthy.
3. Jalen Virgil: He missed all of last season with a meniscus injury, but Virgil has had a good summer. With the NFL switching to an XFL-style kickoff format this year, Virgil’s ability to return kicks increases his value.
4. Brandon Johnson: He ranked second on the team last season with four touchdown catches. Johnson would be a capable WR4 or WR5, but there might not be room for him on Denver’s roster.
5. Lil’Jordan Humphrey: He had a modest campaign last fall with 13 receptions for 162 yards and three touchdowns, but Humphrey has the size (6-4, 225 pounds) and experience (eight starts last year) to serve as a capable reserve receiver in the NFL.
We will track each Denver cut and any potential trades on Broncos Wire.
