The period of craziness with free agency and the NFL Draft has come to an end. So, fans have already begun to turn their attention to the upcoming season and, subsequently, fantasy football drafts.
Every team is headed into the next season with a new look of some kind. Teams made critical signings, crucial trades, and drafted cornerstone pieces that will fuel fan speculation for several months. They are also counting on their returning players to either maintain their level of play or take a step up. Thus, it’s up to fantasy managers to juggle all these factors and determine which players are worth their picks.
The Denver Broncos are no different than any of these teams. With younger players, veterans, and a new acquisition, the Broncos pose lots of fantasy football questions.
Bring in Bo Nix
Bo Nix is a no-brainer for fantasy football this year. According to CBS Sports and Fantasy Pros, Nix was a top-eight fantasy quarterback last year. While some may believe that his numbers last year were a fluke, in his rookie year, which many fans perceived as severely underwhelming, he finished top eight as well.
There are plenty of niche, advanced statistics that could help highlight Nix’s fantasy upside. However, there’s one metric that does the job: he led the league in passing attempts last season. With 612 attempts, no one threw the ball more than he did. Additionally, he has yet to miss a regular-season game in his career. Some are worried about the interceptions and occasional inaccurate throws, but his health and usage more than make up for that, as seen by his top ten finish in passing yards and touchdowns.
Simply put, if you want to win fantasy football, take the quarterback who throws the ball the most and plays the most.
Those numbers alone should be enough to draft Nix. However, his weapons for this season make him an even more intriguing prospect. Outside of Courtland Sutton, Nix’s top fantasy finishes have come despite unimpressive receiver play. That should change, as he will now be throwing to former Dolphins star Jaylen Waddle in addition to the dependable Sutton.
Waddle isn’t the only intriguing weapon, though. Passing back RJ Harvey should see more reps, which means another playmaker for Nix to throw to. Additionally, having backup receivers Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims is immense. Any one of those guys could explode in any given game, and they allow Nix to remain productive should Sutton or Waddle go down.
Of all the Denver Broncos, if you’re going to take one for fantasy, take Nix.
Still in on Sutton
Courtland Sutton has provided the Denver Broncos and fantasy football managers with nothing but consistency. Playing in all 17 games in each of the last two years, Sutton put up back-to-back 1,000-yard, top-12 fantasy performances.
This year, Sutton finished above massive names like A.J. Brown, Drake London, and CeeDee Lamb, who missed time. He also finished above Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Devonta Smith, and Justin Jefferson, who played all 17. Similarly, the year prior, he finished higher than fully healthy players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and Tyreek Hill.
Sutton makes a living in the red zone, scoring over seven touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. He also finished top fifteen in targets in 2025 and 2024. Clearly, he is very dependable. Like Nix, though, the addition of Jaylen Waddle should make Sutton a more exciting option.
Some may expect the addition of Waddle to hurt Sutton’s production; it’s a possibility, but it is not the only scenario. Puka Nacua took a massive step after the Rams brought in Davante Adams. George Pickens exploded after being paired with Lamb. Jameson Williams had a career year without infringing on Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s production. JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins have been coexisting and thriving for years.
Waddle may be exactly what Sutton needs. Defenses have schemed around Sutton because Denver has never had another dangerous pass-catcher. With other teams worrying about Waddle, Sutton could be freed. Additionally, the Broncos were often playing by committee. Backup receivers, tight ends, and running backs were getting fed the ball. Sutton and Waddle could easily consolidate those targets.
Sutton is by no means a first-round pick, but with his steady production, he could be a perfect piece on a championship team.
Win with Waddle
Jaylen Waddle’s time in Miami did not end as well as it started, as he failed to reach 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons. However, that fact can be more attributed to lingering injuries, poor quarterback play, and franchise turmoil than a lack of talent. Beginning his career with back-to-back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, NFL fans know what Waddle can do.
Injuries have been a consistent story in his career. Even when he’s not missing games, they clearly have an effect on him. In fact, he’s only played one full season. However, in that season, he finished as fantasy receiver No. 7, putting up an absurd 1,356 yards. Furthermore, in that season, he led the league in yards per catch (outside of Rashod Bateman, who missed ten games).
Even last year, despite all those aforementioned troubles, he still put together a respectable top-20 season.
Waddle poses tremendous fantasy upside as a vertical threat. He’ll never lead the league in receptions, but with his speed and hands, he’s always destined for monstrous games. Now, with defenses worried about Sutton, Waddle will have even more deep-ball opportunities. His pairing with strong-armed Bo Nix is a match made in heaven for fantasy owners.
If you’re looking for consistent production, take Sutton. But if you want somebody to give you some games of pure magic, then Waddle is your guy.
Don’t Draft Dobbins
The Broncos have a great duo in the backfield with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. With Dobbins’ power and skill between the tackles, combined with Harvey’s burst and pass-catching ability, the two make a formidable team. However, for fantasy purposes, they pose a lot of questions.
Dobbins’ talent is undeniable. Before his injury, he was top five in the league in rushing yards. However, the disappointing truth is that he cannot stay healthy. He has yet to play every game in a season, and he has only played over ten games in a season twice.
Additionally, even if healthy, the developing Harvey and recently drafted Jonah Coleman could take some of his reps. If he falls in the draft, he’s a no-brainer. But if you’re taking him with the expectation that he can be a consistent RB2, then you may be in for a rude awakening.
So, if Dobbins isn’t the correct pick, then surely Harvey is. Right?
Hold off on Harvey
Well, not exactly. When Dobbins is healthy, he’s likely still going to get most of the reps on first and second down. Coleman could also eat into some of those early-down opportunities, as he has over 20 pounds on Dobbins. In order for Harvey to become a reliable fantasy option, he needs to be efficient between the tackles, something he has not yet shown.
Where he has the advantage over Dobbins, outside of health, is in the passing game. Harvey finished fifth on the Broncos in receiving yards with 356 in his first year. However, Coleman could make a divot in those situations as well, as his frame makes him more suited for pass-blocking. As for Coleman himself, definitely worth a pick in dynasty, but Dobbins and Harvey will both make him obsolete.
All in all, the Broncos have an incredibly talented running game. The issue for fantasy is that it’s too talented. Coach Sean Payton loves committees, and he will find ways to use all three of his backs. Plus, even if one breaks out from the pack, which may not happen, it’s hard to say who it could be. So, steering clear may be the best move.
Evade Evan Engram
Not many people are very high on Evan Engram going into this year, and for good reason. Engram is 31, just finished as tight end number 32 in fantasy, and has failed to reach 500 yards in each of his last two seasons. Simply put, he has very little going for him. There’s a small chance that he has a renaissance year and figures it out, but that seems unlikely.
Sean Payton also loves his committee of tight ends. Not only did he hold onto Engram, but he also re-signed Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins. In addition, he drafted N.C. State’s Justin Joly in the fifth round.
Whatever chances of success Engram has, Trautman and Adkins have less by sitting behind him. Joly could warrant a selection in dynasty, as he could be the guy years from now. However, for this year, there is no Broncos tight end worth taking.
Fantasy Forecast
In recent years, the Broncos have not been known for providing great fantasy football options outside of their defense, which is a must-get. They’ve relied on a slew of guys doing just enough to string together wins while fantasy managers suffered in silence. This year should be different, though.
The running backs and tight ends are slightly sore subjects this year. But with Nix, Sutton, and Waddle, the passing game should reach a whole new level. Comparing the trio to what Dallas has with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens may be extreme. However, the Cowboys represent the blueprint the Broncos could follow.
Nix, Sutton, and Waddle have shown what they can do in prior years. Working together, success almost feels inevitable. For fantasy managers looking for their QB or WR2 options, the Broncos have you covered.
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