For the first time since losing the AFC Championship Game in January, the Denver Broncos were back on the field this week for OTAs. And when they met the media on Thursday, the biggest addition since that loss to the Patriots took center stage.
Jaylen Waddle came to the Broncos in March as part of a trade with the Dolphins. During his five years in Miami, the wide receiver hauled in passes for more than 5,000 yards and snared 26 touchdowns. In 2022, he led the league in yards per reception, averaging 18.1.
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As a result, big things are expected of the wideout. Waddle is a big-play receiver, adding a home-run hitter to an offense that all too often settled for slap singles in recent years.
A 1,000-yard season feels like a reasonable ask. Flirting with 10 touchdowns does too.
In order for that to happen, Waddle is going to have to get quickly acclimated to his new surroundings. On Thursday, it sounded like that was happening.
“It’s a great group,” Waddle said about the Broncos wide receiver room. “Everyone knows they can play and do all of these amazing things on the field. I’m talking about them as people. I came in as the new guy and they welcomed me with open arms. They’ve treated me like a brother since day one.”
In recent years, the star of that group has been Courtland Sutton. The wideout has been with the Broncos for eight years and is coming off of his second Pro Bowl season. He’s someone that Waddle is excited about.
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“Courtland is an elite playmaker,” the newcomer said. “Anytime you have a playmaker on the other side of you, it just makes it easy. (He’s) someone that the defense has to be looking for.”
But it’s not just his fellow receivers that have made a good early impression on Waddle. His new quarterback has, too.
“Bo (Nix) is a competitor,” Waddle raved. “He loves talking ball. He loves being around the guys. He’s going to be a great leader. I can just see the traits.”
The receiver and quarterback are already working well together.
“If he sees something, he’s going to tell me about it,” Waddle continued. “We pick each other’s brains and try to get on the same page as best we can.”
Unfortunately, Nix wasn’t on the field with Waddle this week. The QB is still recovering from offseason ankle surgeries. But that doesn’t concern his new weapon.
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“Bo’s a tremendous player; he’s a playmake,” Waddle said about his new quarterback. “When you have a guy like that slinging the ball, I don’t think it’s going to take that much time (to get on the same page).”
The newest Bronco seems happy and confident. On Thursday, he explained why he’s feeling good about being in Denver.