The Denver Broncos could’ve gone out and traded for a talented wide receiver at the deadline earlier this month to pair alongside Courtland Sutton. When Sean Payton and company found out that the price was too steep for any of the guys they had their eyes on, they stayed put and realized it wasn’t the end of the world.
Between Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant and Marvin Mims Jr. this season, Denver’s production in the wide receiver room hasn’t been otherworldly, but it’s been good enough to produce a sufficient amount of offense amidst this eight-game winning streak with one of the best defenses in football.
From a production standpoint, Sutton ranks 22nd in the NFL in receiving yards this season (649), Franklin ranks 43rd (509), Mims ranks 120th (234) and Bryant ranks 125th (231). Tight end Evan Engram is 113th on the list with 260 yards.
There have been times when this unit hasn’t gotten enough separation to give quarterback Bo Nix a window to get them the football on time, but there have also been times in which they’ve gotten separation late, but Nix had already progressed early to his checkdown and missed the bigger play. Inconsistency has been the name of the game for all these guys this season, as Sutton is the only receiver with at least five receptions in back-to-back seasons, something he did three weeks in a row in weeks three, four and five.
Despite the inconsistencies, Payton is pleased with what he’s got in the receiver room.
“I’m happy with that room. I mean, those guys are all competing, working hard, and going against some real good defenses,” Payton said in a conference call Monday morning.
The longtime head coach tipped his cap to Franklin, the second-year man out of Oregon who has burst onto the scene this year. He had great chemistry with Nix back in college, but after a rough rookie campaign, people weren’t sure if that tandem would translate to the NFL level. While it’s not Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, a tandem that won the National Championship at LSU then made a Super Bowl appearance together in the 2021-22 season, the Oregon duo has reignited the connection.
“I think he’s explosive out of his break. I think he’s… Man, he’s not afraid to compete at all. He’s real good at the line of scrimmage with his releases. I think there’s a confidence that Bo has with him,” Payton said.
While Franklin has had three drops this season, the same number he had last season in 28 fewer targets, he’s shown immense growth from his rookie campaign.
Would a Jaylen Waddle or a Rashid Shaheed provide a big boost to this receiver room? 100%. However, it’s clear that Sean Payton wasn’t willing to pay that price, and he’s content with the group of guys he already has in the building.