Broncos draft preview: Sean Payton is bullish on young WR core, but another weapon could pay major dividends

Editor’s note: Third in a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Monday: Quarterbacks. Tuesday: Running backs. Today: Wide receivers

Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: Signed Trent Sherfield

Under contract: Courtland Sutton (one year), Marvin Mims Jr. (two years), Devaughn Vele (three years), Troy Franklin (three years), A.T. Perry (three years), Michael Bandy (two years), Sherfield (two years)

Need scale (1-10): 6. The Broncos are bullish on their returning receiving corps. Mims is a breakout candidate in 2025 after a strong finishing kick, while Vele and Franklin each need to take steps forward as second-year players. Perry is an interesting young guy and Sherfield brings physicality to the room as a special teams player and quality blocker. Still, it’s not hard to squint and see one more hit in the draft making this group all the more dangerous. Productive pass-catchers can be found throughout the draft. Identifying a good one on Day 2 or 3 is the Broncos’ challenge.

Top five

Travis Hunter, Colorado: A one-of-a-kind talent who is arguably the top receiver, top cornerback and top overall prospect in this draft class. Hunter put up incredible numbers last fall, tallying 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while also solidifying himself as an elite cornerback en route to the Heisman Trophy. He could go as early as No. 2 overall.

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State: Egbuka’s played in the shadow of megastars in Columbus, first Marvin Harrison Jr. and then freshman sensation Jeramiah Smith in 2024. But make no mistake: This guy can play. That he might shine brighter in the pros than in college is a wild thing to say about OSU’s all-time leading receiver, but it’s possible.

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona: Put up silly numbers the past two years, going for 174 catches, 2,721 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s a physically imposing receiver at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds. McMillan is not a straight-line burner but doesn’t have to be thanks to his frame and contested catch ability.

Matthew Golden, Texas: Burst onto the scene during his lone year in Austin. Had decent numbers in two years at Houston (584 and 404 yards in 2022 and 2023, respectively) and then 576 though Texas’ first 12 games last fall. He went nuclear from the SEC title game on, though, and stamped his place near the top of the receiver class. Then he ran 4.29 seconds in the 40.

Luther Burden, Missouri: Burden draws Deebo Samuel comparisons at 6-feet, 206 pounds. Had a down year last fall, but in 2023 was among the very best players in college football when he went for 86 catches, 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. Ran 4.41 in the 40 at the combine. Would project as a versatile, ‘Joker’-esque player if the Broncos looked his direction at No. 20.

More Broncos options

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State: Higgins might not last until No. 51, so Denver would likely have to be aggressive to land him. He checks a lot of boxes at 6-4 and 215 pounds. He’s a terrific athlete for that size, running 4.47 in the 40 and jumping 39 inches vertical and 10-8 broad. Played two years at ISU and tallied 2,166 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Jalen Royals, Utah State: One of the most enjoyable guys in the class to watch. The smart and savvy Royals had 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023 and followed it up with 834 (15.2 per catch) and six last fall. Ran 4.42 in the 40. Has productive, versatile pro written all over him.

Tory Horton, Colorado State: Horton opted to return to CSU for 2024 but a knee injury ended his season after six games. Before that had back-to-back 1,100-plus yard seasons. The 6-3, 195-pounder got back in time to put together a strong combine performance (4.41 in the 40) and pro day earlier this month in Fort Collins with Broncos WR coach Keary Colbert in attendance.

Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas: Intriguing player who transferred to Arkansas for two years from Division II. TeSlaa didn’t have huge numbers but averaged 19.5 yards per grab last fall. A big slot receiver at 6-4 and 214, TeSlaa ripped up the combine by going 4.43 in the 40, jumping 39.5 inches in the vertical and benching 17 reps.

Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee: A former teammate of Bo Nix’s at Oregon, Thornton transferred to UT and averaged a 25.4 yards per catch last fall. At 6-5, Thornton ran 4.3 in the 40 but is thin and not particularly refined. If Troy Franklin grows into a more diverse role, Thornton would be an interesting vertical option for Denver’s offense.

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