Denver Broncos DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele will square off against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday in Week 8. Vele recorded just one catch on three targets for 20 yards in last Thursday's win over the Saints, the lowest totals of his career thus far. It's a stark contrast to the 78 yards on 4-of-6 receiving he racked up the week prior, but in his defense, rookie quarterback Bo Nix was asked to do less in the win over New Orleans as opposed to the loss against the Chargers. The rookie wideout gets a juicy outing against a sieve-like Panthers defense this Sunday. Still, the seventh-round pick in this year's draft is not a reliable fantasy option just yet. His early career involvement, however, is encouraging. As RotoBaller's PPR WR74 ahead of Week 8, the rookie wideout is little more than a desperate dart throw.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin will line up against a weak Carolina Panthers defense this Sunday in Week 8. The rookie wideout started the season cold in a part-time role, playing fewer than 20 snaps in each of his first four appearances. However, he's seen his snap share tick up over the last few weeks (36/33) and responded with increased production. Franklin had his best outing of the season on Thursday Night Football a week ago, racking up 50 yards while hauling in 5-of-6 targets. He gets an even better matchup this week against a Panthers D that's been the worst in the league on a per-play basis against opposing pass attacks. The former Oregon Duck can't precisely be trusted as an every-week option just yet, but his usage may continue to increase as the season wanes on. Additionally, his collegiate connection with quarterback Bo Nix could prove helpful in the back half of the season. Franklin is the PPR WR58 this week in RotoBaller's ranks.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton gets one of the better matchups this Sunday when his team squares off against the Carolina Panthers. The SMU alum goose-egg'd fantasy managers last Thursday night in Denver's 33-10 route of the New Orleans Saints. Though, cornerback Marshon Lattimore may have played a large part in that. This week, however, he'll get a much softer matchup against one of the worst defensive units in the league. Carolina allows the most pass yards per play to opposing offenses (7.6) and has turned opponents over just six times this year -- thrice through the air. It's possible Denver leads with a run-heavy game plan, mainly if second-year Panthers QB Bryce Young can't make it a contest. Still, this matchup is as good as any to start the 29-year-old. Sutton is RotoBaller's PPR WR35 ahead of Sunday's outing.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix gets an intriguing matchup in Week 8 when his team lines up against the Carolina Panthers. The former Oregon Duck hasn't wowed with his stat lines this season, but he's done an excellent job keeping Denver in games. While he's only thrown five touchdown passes, the rookie's production on the ground has afforded him a higher fantasy floor (36.4 yards per game). This week, he'll face a Panthers defense that's allowed the most yards per pass play to their opponents (7.6 yards per attempt). Additionally, they've let up 14 touchdown passes to just three interceptions forced. The Broncos' game script may lean run-heavy -- as Carolina has also allowed the most rushing yards to opposing offenses -- but Nix is a strong start in superflex and 2QB formats and a fringe streaming option elsewhere. He's RotoBaller's QB17 in this week's rankings.

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) was a full participant at practice on Thursday and Friday and is off the injury report for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. He is a top tight end option in Week 8. The veteran tight end has been efficient since returning from injury two weeks ago, catching all 15 of his targets. After a 10-catch, 102-yard performance against the Chicago Bears, Engram came back down to Earth a bit with a five-catch, 35-yard performance against the New England Patriots. Given the volatility of the position and Engram's expectations entering the season, he should be started without hesitation this week. The Packers have been good against the pass this season but have been better against wide receivers than tight ends, meaning Engram could be in for an outing closer to his Week 6 performance than last week's performance. Engram should be viewed as a clear TE1 who should be Trevor Lawrence's go-to receiver this week.