Broncos Predicted to Land Free Agent Receiver

The Denver Broncos' offense exceeded nearly all expectations in 2024. The team selected Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and many in the building were excited about what Nix and the offense could achieve under the guidance of Sean Payton, even if it was fair to expect some growing pains from a rookie quarterback.

Nix showed a lot of positives in his rookie season, completing 66.3% of his passes for 3775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions as the Broncos made the postseason for the first time since 2015. A positive for the offense was Nix’s connection with Courtland Sutton, who arguably had a career year, catching 81 passes for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns.

Sutton enters the season as Nix’s top target once again. Still, the Broncos added pass-catchers Pat Bryant and Evan Engram through the NFL Draft and free agency, hopefully adding more pop to a receiving core that needed an upgrade. However, there could be more help for Nix and the offense.

Per Seth Walder of ESPN, the Broncos are a potential destination for veteran receivers Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper, who are free agents searching for new teams.

In an article where Walder graded every NFL team’s offseason grade, Walder handed the Broncos an excellent ‘A-’ grade, praising the team's direction and the moves made, but wished the Broncos did more at receiver.

“I wanted to see the Broncos do more at receiver. Besides counting on Courtland Sutton and Engram, they are likely hoping for Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin to break out. Perhaps they'll end up making a move for another veteran -- maybe Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper?” Walder writes.

Allen spent the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears, catching 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, while Cooper was traded to the Buffalo Bills midway through the season and struggled to acclimate, catching 20 balls for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. Both remain free agents, likely because of their drop-off in play from 2024, and because of the healthy receiver landscape across the NFL.

However, the Broncos have options at receiver already, and neither would need to come in and earn 120 targets, especially in an offense that could run the ball more efficiently in 2025. A move could manifest itself.