ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle made his first on-field appearance with the Denver Broncos during offseason OTAs, providing an early look at the speed and explosiveness the team sought in free agency. Safety Talanoa Hufanga said Waddle makes “every route look the same,” a trait Hufanga called important because it pressures defenders in their back pedal.
The addition of Waddle was the most notable roster move since the Broncos’ loss in the AFC Championship Game. Denver re-signed 17 of its 21 players who were scheduled to be unrestricted, restricted or exclusive rights free agents, then completed a trade for Waddle after restarting talks with the Miami Dolphins ahead of free agency. Coach Sean Payton said the team had a “crystal-clear vision” for Waddle before the trade.
Payton has emphasized adding speed and raising the pace of the offense, a goal that informed his decision to give playcalling duties to Davis Webb. Payton said Waddle’s instincts and ability to “stop fast” can help on that front. Waddle tied for the 16th-most receiving first downs last season, while the Broncos ranked 29th in drives that ended in three-and-outs.
The Broncos see Waddle as a player who can line up across the formation and relieve coverage pressure that too often required double-teaming Courtland Sutton. Sutton said Waddle’s ability to “manipulate the outside” will aid the run game and create more one-on-one opportunities, noting that Sutton had seven catches across the team’s two playoff games.
Denver finished 14-3 last season and ranked 10th in total yards, 14th in scoring and 10th in EPA, but the offense relied heavily on volume passing and struggled with efficiency downfield. Quarterback Bo Nix led the league in pass attempts (612) while his 63.4 percent completion rate ranked 24th among quarterbacks who started at least eight games; his completion above expectation was minus-2.1 percent, 26th in that group. On throws of 20 or more air yards, Nix completed 38.7 percent, a figure the Broncos offset by attempting more long passes than all but the Rams and Jaguars.
Waddle posted 910 yards and six touchdowns last season and would have ranked second on the Broncos in both categories. He averaged 2.34 yards per route (11th in the league) compared with Sutton’s 1.75 (No. 43). Waddle described his fit with Denver as “fast, physical and exciting” and said he will have to “earn and build” his role as he joins the offense.
