Denver Broncos DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele has ascended to the role of WR2 in Denver over the last several weeks and is worth considering as a WR4/flex for starting fantasy lineups for Monday night's game against the visiting Cleveland Browns. Since Josh Reynolds (hand) went on Injured Reserve after Week 5, Vele has played over 60% of the offensive snaps in four of seven games, including each of the last three. In the last three weeks, the 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah has caught 14 of his 18 targets for 185 yards (13.21 yards per catch) and a touchdown. He has only scored once in his first eight NFL games, but his role is growing and he's shown good chemistry with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Reynolds could return from IR to play this weekend, but we'd be surprised if Vele doesn't have a big role against a Browns defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to WRs per game.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has gone from being a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex this year to being a top-15 pass-catching option for fantasy managers heading into a Monday night primetime showdown against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Thanks to 36 receptions (48 targets) for 467 yards and three touchdowns, Sutton is tied with Cooper Kupp for second in football (behind only Ja'Marr Chase) in half-PPR points in the last five games. The 29-year-old finished three yards shy of his third 100-yard game in last week's win over the Raiders and also scored twice. Sutton suddenly has become a must-start for fantasy managers as improving rookie quarterback Bo Nix's go-to target in the passing game. He has at least eight targets in the last five weeks and ranks sixth among all WRs with 95 targets. Start Sutton against a Browns defense that allows the seventh-most fantasy points to WRs.

Denver Broncos running backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime will be involved in a committee backfield in Denver for the Monday night matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, making them hard to recommend for a starting lineup spot in fantasy in most leagues. Each of McLaughlin and Estime have led the Broncos' backfield in separate weeks in the last three games, but the problem is Javonte Williams also remains involved despite lots of inconsistency in 2024. McLaughlin looked to be third on the depth chart a few weeks ago but led the backfield with seven carries for 44 yards in last week's win over the Raiders. Estime had just three carries for 15 yards. Both RBs have seen double-digit carries once this year (McLaughlin way back in Week 1). Last week in the win over Vegas, McLaughlin played only 29% of the snaps, with Estime playing 7%.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (back) popped up on the team's Week 13 injury report with a back injury but practiced in full on Friday and Saturday and was cleared to play for Monday night's game against the visiting Cleveland Browns. Nix has put up at least 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games, including two 30-plus-point performances for fantasy managers. The Browns defense is by no means the greatest matchup for a signal-caller but they've been vulnerable of late and have allowed three touchdowns to wideouts in the last two contests. The 24-year-old first-rounder out of Oregon got off to an ice-cold start in his first few NFL games, but he's quickly settled into head coach Sean Payton's offense and continues to consistently make plays with his arm and legs while limiting turnovers. Nix's arrow is pointing up, and he'll have QB1 upside yet again in Denver on Monday night.

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram could return to TE1 form in Week 13 against the Houston Texans with the potential return of Trevor Lawrence at quarterback. Mac Jones hasn't played well enough in Lawrence's absence, holding the entire offense back in fantasy. Engram hasn't surpassed 50 yards receiving since Week 6 in London, but has been heavily targeted over the last three weeks with 25 combined targets. The last time the Jaguars faced the Texans, Engram was out with injury, so his presence should provide a new look for the Jaguars offense the second time around. Upside is the main thing fantasy managers should be looking for at tight end, making Engram a decent option as a low-end TE1 with solid upside in Week 13.