Deebo Samuel, Denver Broncos
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Deebo Samuel #1 of the Washington Commanders warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Denver Broncos’ slow-playing free agency and the trade market could ultimately work in their favor, particularly if they could find success with an option like Deebo Samuel.
It would be a fitting end to a long-winding speculative connection.
However, the biggest questions the Broncos would face are the same ones that other teams face regarding Samuel, a one-time Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro: his health and how he would fit in with the players already on their roster at his position.
Broncos Urged to Sign Deebo Samuel
Deebo Samuel
GettyDeebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the Washington Commanders during the first day of OTAs
The Broncos have drawn plenty of attention over their lack of activity in free agency as the only team in the NFL that has yet to sign an outside player after the first week.
CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani suggested Samuel in light of that.
“Many have tried to hypothetically pair Deebo Samuel and Sean Payton for years. Now, he’s actually available. Payton has often talked about his ‘Joker’ position — which is a player that can line up anywhere and everywhere on offense, and affect the game in different ways. That’s Samuel,” Dajani wrote on March 14.
“The Broncos need to add some weaponry if they want to take advantage of this Super Bowl window. They have a quarterback on a rookie deal and an elite defense. Samuel makes sense in Denver.”
Dajani noted that Samuel led the Washington Commanders with 727 yards and 5 touchdowns on 72 receptions in 2025. He also had 75 rushing yards and 1 TD on 17 carries.
Dajani argued Samuel could best his rushing marks, in particular, under Payton.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported in February 2025 that the Broncos were among the teams interested in acquiring Samuel in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. That was before the Commanders ultimately got a deal done.
Samuel, 30, is coming off a reworked one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Commanders and $82.4 million in career earnings.
Spotrac projected his market value at $15.8 million annually and a two-year, $31.5 million pact.
It is important to note that Payton has been adamant in the past that the “joker” in his offense is either a tight end or a running back, and not a wide receiver. However, it is equally important to note that Samuel has never been a traditional wideout.
Deebo Samuel Still ‘Dangerous’
deebo samuel
GettyDeebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the Washington Commanders pulls in a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Broncos’ concerns about Samuel’s health might be less than some other landing spots, given how they have approached players with extensive histories in the recent past.
Samuel is still a threat on the field, despite being less explosive at this stage and a down 2025.
“Samuel is a dangerous ball carrier and yards-after-the-catch player who can provide a lift on shallow crossers, screens, jet sweeps and handoffs. He is savvy against zone coverage, with a sense for finding vacated holes in the middle of the field. He is not a consistent separator against tight coverage,” The Athletic’s Daniel Popper wrote in February.
“Samuel is limited as a true receiver, but he can be productive in the right offense with the right play caller.”
Perhaps that fit is with the Broncos under Payton.
Popper ranked Samuel as the 62nd-best free agent and the 10th-best player at his position available this offseason. Fit will be a significant factor, even if the Broncos can sign Samuel for less than the one-year, $12.5 million agreement Popper projected for him.
Broncos Young WRs Getting Significant Notice This Offseason
Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos
GettyPat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos on the field against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Broncos’ need for Samuel depends heavily on their faith in incumbent supporting wide receivers Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin. Denver has selected one each in the past three drafts.
Mims is the oldest, but also the one whose role fluctuates the most. He is an All-Pro and Pro Bowl return man, who Payton often deploys in a gadget role in the Broncos’ offense.
Franklin was drafted with his college teammate and Broncos starting quarterback Bo Nix.
He is a bigger-bodied deep-threat than Mims, while Bryant is a physical chain-mover and red-zone threat whom Payton has compared to former New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas. However, Bryant suffered two concussions in 2025.
There is talent in the Broncos’ current group behind WR1 Courtland Sutton. Perhaps not enough that an addition like Samuel could not come in and contribute in a meaningful way.