The Broncos have had consistently one of the premier defenses, likely the premier offensive line, arguably one of the premier offensive coaches, and a first round pick starting QB in the Bo Nix/Sean Payton era thus far. Many including myself have pointed to the lackluster skill position grouping of Denver being perhaps the biggest thing that has held them back thus far in the Bo Nix/Sean Payton era. The team projects to have better skill position play next season as young players develop along with a splash acquisition that the team made this offseason. Here I will do an assessment of the skill position grouping of the Broncos as the 2026 season approaches.
Starting with the running back unit of the team, Denver is led in the unit by former Raven J.K Dobbins who has a lot of promise but is likely better suited as a #2 back in the NFL. Dobbins, the former 2nd rounder, became a household name with the Ravens where he put up electric running numbers. However, the Ravens had the most run-conducive offense in the sport and Dobbins’ numbers were likely a bit inflated as a result. Even Pro Football Focus graded him as a good but not a special player despite the elite numbers he was putting up in Baltimore. Dobbins in two seasons outside of Baltimore has still put up decent numbers with Pro Football Focus grading him well. But he feels more like a good #2 back rather than a #1 where he is currently listed.
2025 2nd rounder R.J Harvey is headed into year 2 in the NFL after a meager first year in the league. Harvey graded (47/59) in terms of an overall offense grade among qualified backs as a rookie and struggled to run the football despite Denver’s elite offensive front. Pro Football Focus even graded him (52/59) in terms of a running grade among qualified players at his position. Harvey did show some promise as a receiver however grading (17/49) in terms of being a pass catching back despite being a rookie. Harvey had his rookie struggles but still showed some promise and it will be interesting to see how he looks heading into year 2 in the NFL.
The likes of Jaleel McLaughlin and 2026 4th rounder Jonah Coleman round out Denver’s running back unit heading into 2026. McLaughlin is known for having an elite rookie season during the 2023 campaign albeit in limited snaps where Pro Football Focus graded him as the fifth best overall back in the sport in his limited time on the field. McLaughlin in extended snaps has consistently fallen off since then although looking solid at times. While Sean Payton seems to think that 2026 4th rounder Jonah Coleman is even more capable than McLaughlin as of now, ranking Coleman third on the depth chart and McLaughlin fourth.
At tight end the Broncos are led by former first rounder Evan Engram who is a talented player with inconsistencies who is now aging. Engram has shown a high ceiling in the NFL having made multiple Pro Bowls but has been very inconsistent throughout the years. Engram has graded below average among players at his position on five different occasions, which included being graded as one of the worst starting tight ends last. Engram will turn 32 years old next season and is one of the weaker leading tight ends in the NFL as of now in my estimation.
The rest of the tight end unit will have to be very strong to compensate for Engram’s aging and inconsistencies and the likes of former third rounder Adam Trautman leads the rest of the unit. Trautman has shown promise in the NFL but is very inconsistent/unproven. Trautman was graded as one of the six best tight ends in the NFL in rookie snaps while also looking strong during the 2022 season in limited snaps. However, Trautman has looked consistently below average to poor otherwise outside of those two seasons. The Broncos are hopeful that either Trautman/Engram can be on their A game, or that 2026 5th rounder Justin Joly can emerge as a strong player at tight end.
At wide out the team has recently acquired former Dolphins’ standout Jaylen Waddle to bolster the unit. Waddle is among the fastest players in the NFL and was always one of the premier #2 wide receivers in the sport with Miami. Waddle was drafted incredibly high for a wide receiver and has looked really good but not special thus far in the NFL. Waddle has never once even warranted a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro team selection. Waddle in my estimation is still one of the premier #2 wide outs in the NFL and could potentially threaten the likes of Courtland Sutton for the leading wide out role with the Broncos.
Speaking of Sutton, the former 2nd rounder is currently listed as the leading player on the Broncos’ wide receiver depth chart. Sutton has been good to very good but not great thus far in the NFL. Sutton is one of the most physically intimidating wide receivers in the sport and has warranted two pro bowl selections in his career. However, he is set to turn 31 years old next season, but perhaps he can now come into his own while still being in or near his prime, now that he is paired with another high level wide out for the first time in his career.
The Broncos have a few more noteworthy names in their wide receiving unit that can provide the team with some depth. Troy Franklin is currently listed as the third wide out on the team’s depth chart, but the 2024 4th rounder has struggled thus far in his career although showing improvement from year 1 to year 2. Sean Payton must still see something in him to list him as a starter despite his subpar play thus far in the NFL. 2025 3rd rounder Pat Bryant had a respectable rookie season and is in line to build off of it going forward. While the likes of 2023 2nd rounder Marvin Mims Jr has shown potential thus far in the NFL although not a super high ceiling while also lacking consistency.
Overall, the Broncos with the potential improvement of some young players along with the addition of Jaylen Waddle, will be better from a skill position player standpoint but still average to mediocre in my estimation. The running back room has depth but the lack of a true #1 back, while Sutton/Waddle are a formidable wide out duo but neither feels like a true #1 wide out, while the Denver tight unit feels like one of the weakest ones in the NFL as of now. A breakdown of the Denver skill position grouping heading into next season can be found below.
2026 Notable Broncos’ Running Backs
HB – J.K Dobbins – B-
HB – RJ Harvey – C to C+ as rookie, 2025 2nd rounder
HB – Jaleel McLaughlin – B to B-, limited snaps
HB – Jonah Coleman – 2026 4th rounder
2026 Notable Broncos’ Wide Receivers
WR – Courtland Sutton – B to B+
WR – Jaylen Waddle – B+ to A-
WR – Troy Franklin – C so far, 2024 4th rounder
WR – Pat Bryant – C as rookie, 2025 3rd rounder
WR – Marvin Mims Jr – C+ so far, 2023 2nd rounder
2026 Notable Broncos’ Tight Ends
TE – Evan Engram – C+ to B-
TE – Adam Trautman – C+ to B-, limited snaps
