Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele was a seventh-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, meaning his path to making the opening-day roster will be challenging. However, Broncos reporter Benjamin Allbright said he is likely ahead of fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin on the depth chart, so he could have a realistic shot. The 26-year-old caught 98 passes for 1,288 yards and eight touchdowns in his final two seasons at Utah, but his solid showing at the 2024 NFL Combine was likely the primary factor in him being drafted. While it would be a nice surprise if he's on the Week 1 roster, he's unlikely to make a fantasy football impact as the potential WR4 or WR5 in an offense led by veteran Jarrett Stidham or rookie Bo Nix.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. had a hot-and-cold practice on Saturday but showed off his explosive play prowess nonetheless. During the early portion of practice, Jarrett Stidham placed a beautiful ball just out of reach of the fingertips of Mims, who couldn't complete the diving grab. The second-year wideout then caught a ball during Bo Nix's go, but he saved his biggest play of the day for last. In an end-of-game, win-or-go-home hypothetical situation, the Broncos' offense was down to 4th-and-18, and Stidham completed his pass to Mims this time for 23 yards, keeping the drive alive. He also flashed his explosiveness in stints during his rookie season, and Denver's WR room is wide open behind Courtland Sutton. He'll be vying for targets with fellow wideouts Josh Reynolds and rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin. Mims is a late-round choice in fantasy drafts right now at WR72 with an NFFC ADP 185, making him worth a flier in best ball and deep leagues as a big play threat.

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton had some praise for rookie quarterback Bo Nix after Wednesday's practice, saying he played "overall, pretty well" and that Payton "liked his progress." Nix ran with the first-team offense and it's a great sign early in camp, but there is plenty of work to be done by Nix. When Nix takes his first regular-season snap, he will be 24 years old, but Nix has a solid cast of weapons and an experienced head coach in Payton. Despite being in a competitive AFC West, the Broncos are live to be a playoff contender, especially if Nix can keep ascending. Nix's fantasy upside is capped as a streaming QB2 off of waivers when he earns a starting nod in 2024, but with a cast of weapons like Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams, and others, Nix's cupboard isn't barren.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, joining his college quarterback and first-round pick Bo Nix with the organization. The chemistry with Nix could give him a leg up on the wide receiver depth chart to begin his career, but Broncos reporter Benjamin Allbright said he's likely to be brought along slowly. "You see flashes here and there, but I don't think he's likely to be starting, let alone a big part of the plan this year," Allbright wrote on X. " (Courtland) Sutton, (Marvin) Mims, and (Josh) Reynolds are probably the starters with Tim Patrick first man off the bench. While this could surprise some people, it's common for Day 3 picks to have limited roles as rookies. Franklin struggled at the 2024 NFL Combine, and his 176-pound frame might limit his upside while he adjusts to the NFL.

The Denver Broncos added $1.5 million in incentives on Thursday to wide receiver Courtland Sutton's contract for the 2024 season. Sutton still has two years left on his current deal. The 28-year-old was set to make $13.6 million this year and $14 million in 2025 and was a potential training camp holdout candidate, but he has reported this week and now has added incentives to be productive for the Broncos. Not only will Sutton be losing quarterback Russell Wilson, who he had developed considerable chemistry with, but he'll now be taking passes from either Jarrett Stidham or rookie Bo Nix in 2024. Volume shouldn't be the problem as Denver's unquestioned top pass-catcher, but efficiency probably will be, as well as some serious touchdown regression after he put up a career-high 10 scores. Sutton profiles as a low-upside WR4/flex in 2024.