The Denver Broncos, through the first week of free agency and the NFL offseason, have not added any outside help on either side of the ball.
In fact, they've brought back all of their offensive skill players. Anyone who touched a ball in 2025 for the Broncos on offense is back on the team for 2026. But the Broncos desperately need playmaking help.
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport has a playmaker for the Broncos in a former Washington Commanders versatile wide receiver. This WR, Deebo Samuel, was linked to the Broncos as his best fit in free agency, as he could take on a "joker" role in 2026.
Broncos named best fit for Deebo Samuel in 'Joker' role
"WR Deebo Samuel. Best Fit: Denver Broncos," Davenport writes. "Tight end Evan Engram flopped last year in the 'joker' role in Sean Payton's offense, and the Broncos still came a game away from the Super Bowl. If Samuel is a better fit in that role, he could be the final piece that puts Denver over the top in the AFC."
Samuel is a 30-year-old wide receiver who was a former All-Pro and Pro Bowler for the San Francisco 49ers in the early-goings of his NFL career.
In 2021, Samuel had 77 receptions on 122 targets for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns to go with 59 rushing attempts for 365 yards and eight touchdowns.
That kind of playmaking season would be exactly what the Broncos are looking for going forward. But, there is one big question mark for Samuel: can he reach such heights again?
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It's not likely, especially looking at last year's production for the Commanders. He caught 72 of 99 targets for 727 yards and five touchdowns. In the running game, he ran the ball 17 times for only 75 yards and one touchdown.
His production has dipped significantly over the last two years, and there are very real worries that he won't be able to recapture the magic of his 2021 season.
However, for a Broncos team looking for any kind of playmaking ability, the upside of Samuel is appealing.
This fit makes a lot of sense, and with Samuel not likely to sign a massive contract in free agency, he makes even more sense for the Broncos as a depth WR addition to pair with a strong WR room already.
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