JaylenWaddle

Oct 12

Denver's second-year receiver landed on injured reserve Friday.

Last season, Denver had Courtland Sutton as the clear top receiver, with four others constantly rotating in and out. This year, Jaylen Waddle and Bryant joined Sutton in the top tier of receivers, while others have rotated in sparingly. In Bryant's absence, Sutton played more than usual, logging 80. 6% of snaps. Waddle, however, played a little less than usual, particularly in 12 personnel. Denver also used more 13 personnel than usual, a grouping in which Waddle typically hasn't played. It was largely Troy Franklin who stepped up in Bryant's place, playing 62. 9% of snaps, only slightly less than Waddle. The Broncos signed wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey from their practice squad Friday. Humphrey and Marvin Mims Jr. served as the backup receivers. The top three receivers were pretty even in receiving production, with all three catching two passes for 16-19 yards. Denver switched to Sean Payton as its offensive playcaller, and the Broncos wanted to run the ball more often. They ran more than they passed this week, hurting the fantasy value of all their receivers. It may be difficult to trust any of them in fantasy starting lineups if Payton sticks with this run-pass split.

Parker Gabriel·Oct 6

Waddle, the Broncos’ prize offseason acquisition, is supposed to be a ceiling lifter. An offense changer. A security blanket and a dynamic threat....Some of it, though, is a combination of Nix not getting him the ball in situations where he’s available and perhaps also not enough emphasis on manufacturing touches for him....Against Jacksonville, the former first-round pick had eight catches on 10 targets for 138 yards....In Denver’s other three games combined, Waddle has eight catches on 16 targets for 47 yards. On Sunday, he caught five of six passes for just 35 yards, though Waddle did log his first touchdown....That’s not going to work for the Broncos’ offense, given how much they are trying to design their approach around him. It is especially not going to work if that production isn’t being gobbled up by another receiver and the rushing game is often stuck in neutral.