Mile High Report
One of the more exciting parts of yesterday’s Broncos OTA practice open to the media was that we got our first real look at wide receiver Jaylen Waddle as a member of the Denver Broncos. He was in uniform, making plays on the practice field, looking fast, earning praise from Sean Payton and his teammates, and he met with the media afterwards.
The Broncos made a shocking blockbuster trade for Waddle early in the offseason and gave themselves the explosive playmaking weapon that they have desired. That move sparked a lot of added hype and Super Bowl talk around the Broncos, and on Thursday, it was our first true look at Waddle in orange and blue.
During Thursday’s OTA practice, media members noted that Waddle looked fast, played outside and in the slot, and lined up against Riley Moss throughout the practice. Afterwards, head coach Sean Payton was asked if they had a specific role in mind for Waddle when they made this trade, and he told reporters that they have a “crystal clear vision” for the explosive wide receiver.
“Absolutely. You could start slot to outside, or go outside to slot, just pick. There’s a crystal-clear vision prior to the trade as to, ‘All right, this is what we see, this is where he plays and these are the things that we feel like he’s exceptional at.’ Then, ‘Let’s apply them into what we’re doing.’”
Payton told reporters that Waddle could play inside or outside for them and that they have identified the things that Waddle is exceptional at, have a crystal clear vision of that, and are going to apply those strengths into what they are doing on the offensive side of the ball.
That vision should be clear. Waddle is an explosive playmaking threat who should make the Broncos’ entire wide receiving room better. He will take some attention off Courtland Sutton, who has been the Broncos’ top target and WR1 these past few seasons, and open things up for Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin.
Payton told reporters that they have plenty of depth at the wide receiver position and that all five of their players have things that they do well. He added that it will be their job to find those strengths and put them in positions to make plays, and ended with “we’re just getting started”.
There’s depth at that room. There are things that the guys do very well. Our job is to find those strengths and put them in those positions. He [WR Jaylen Waddle] has been a great addition, and we’re just getting started.”
Veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton also met with the media and was asked about playing with Waddle so far. Sutton told reporters that Waddle is a “special dude” and added that he has unique qualities that only he can do on the football field.
“The first three days of practice have been nice. Being able to see the things that he does...
