Don’t look now, but the same Denver Broncos who started the 2024 season 0-2 now have a 5-3 record after eight weeks. In the meantime, however, the team still has improvements to make before seriously thinking about contending. No move would immediately catapult Denver further than securing a veteran pass-catcher who rookie quarterback Bo Nix can turn to when a play is needed.
Currently, that player doesn’t exist on the Broncos’ offense.
The hope was for seven-year wideout Courtland Sutton to evolve into such a weapon, but while Sutton has proved to be an asset to Denver’s offense, he hasn’t been able to reach those heights. The 29-year-old has surpassed 1,000 yards just once since 2018, scoring more than two touchdowns in a season one time through his last five campaigns.
Eight weeks through the 2024 season, Sutton finds himself with 377 receiving yards and two scores. With three drops on the year, only 13 players across the NFL have dropped the football more times than Sutton thus far.
It just hasn’t worked when throwing the football Sutton’s way this season.
Although it’s far from being the fault of one individual alone, four of Bo Nix’s five interceptions (80%) have come on passes in Sutton’s direction. Diontae Johnson, who was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Baltimore Ravens this week, is the only player league-wide whose quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions when targeting them (5).
With a 55.4 quarterback rating when targeted, Marvin Mims Jr. is the only player on the Broncos’ roster to have a lower mark than Sutton in this category.
If Denver wants to take contending seriously, this cannot be the results they get when turning to their top wideout.
The Denver Broncos must acquire a legitimate WR1 before thinking about contending
With Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins getting dealt in recent weeks, the pool of available wideouts continues to shrink. There are still some great pass-catchers out there, however.
Long-time AFC West wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams serve as great options to make an immediate impact. The downside of going this route is both players are now in their 30s with Allen turning 33 next summer. There may not be any long-term plan to invest in here.
The positive of trading for Allen or Williams is the low outgoing cost to get them in the building. Allen was traded for a fourth-round pick last summer, and after a 17-catch, 161-yard season through eight weeks, the trade value of the 32-year-old has only since diminished.
Similarly, Mike Williams was released last summer after failing to find a trade partner for the veteran. He’s since totaled 160 yards on 11 receptions.
At 25 years of age, Tee Higgins may serve as a better option for Denver. The current Bengals wideout is a player who the Broncos can stick with Nix for years to come.
Acquiring Higgins would cost Denver significantly more than it would to secure Allen or Williams, however. The 25-year-old would also command a bigger salary and overall contract.
Currently, Higgins is playing on a franchise tag worth $21.8 million. There’s no reason an extension wouldn’t exceed that number annually, either.
Things have changed greatly in only a handful of years. Just five seasons ago, no wide receiver league-wide cost a team more than $20 million. Now in 2024, seven wideouts will beat that number this year alone.
Higgins, to his credit, has hauled in 29 passes for 341 yards through five contests. Add three touchdowns to his season as well.
*Top Photo: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
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