Parker joined The Denver Post in September 2022 after covering the Broncos for USA Today. Before that, he spent five years covering Nebraska football and athletics for the Lincoln Journal Star. He's a New Glarus, Wisconsin native and a University of Wisconsin graduate.
Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos scrambles as Shaq Thompson of the Buffalo Bills defends Evan Engram during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Denver made the biggest splash of its offseason — and one of the biggest single moves of the spring in the NFL — on Tuesday when it The Broncos’ run of retentions early on in free agency inspired plenty of run-it-back vibes, but now Waddle’s addition gives Denver an element it didn’t have in 2025 and, really, hasn’t had for the better part of a decade. He is a true take-the-top-off threat, dangerous after the catch and in the middle of the field and capable of playing multiple positions. He will help add diversity and explosion to the Broncos’ passing game, but he can also have an impact in the running game, not so much by blocking but by keeping defenses honest in how many players they can commit to the box on early downs.. Anderson hasn’t played as much defense as P.J. Locke did, so it’s unclear exactly how good the Broncos feel about their No. 3 spot behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Denver’s staff liked what Devon Key showed defensively in practice over the 2025 season. More broadly, the Broncos are not a finished product. Nobody ever really is in football, especially this time of year. The draft is a month away, and there are still players available via free agency and trade. The search for help rarely, if ever, actually ceases. “We got J.K. Dobbins in, what, June?” general manager George Paton said last month. “You’re always looking and it never stops. There is always something out there that hopefully can help you.” With the opening waves of free agency and one tsunami of a trade in the books, here is an updated look at the positions where the Broncos still need help. Eli Stowers of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes a catch and runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Tight end, like the next two positions, isn’t a true “must” for Sean Payton and company in a strict sense because the Broncos brought back all of their guys from 2025 between the NFL Combine and the start of free agency. All the same, that group was underwhelming a year ago. Upgrading should remain a focus for Denver. The question: How? Most of the quality options went quickly in free agency, and that was without much of a list of surefire, major-impact players. The draft is interesting because there aren’t the top-of-the-board type options like last year but the closer late April creeps, the deeper many people believe the tight end crop is on the whole. Dane Brugler, a draft analyst for The Athletic, recently said on social media that as he grades the group, “I have more draftable TEs in this class than any other I’ve done.” Still haven't found the bottom of this TE draft class. There are going to be some useful guys still around late rounds/PFA.Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers isn’t likely to be around at No. 62, so trying to land him might require some creativity. Otherwise, the task will be sorting through a raft of mid-to-late-round options and trying to find somebody who can help right away, sure, but who can be a force in the future. Jaleel McLaughlin of the Denver Broncos runs the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High on Jan. 04, 2026 in Denver. By the time Jaleel McLaughlin signed a one-year deal, the Broncos had gone 4-of-4 in bringing their 2025 running backs back into the fold. Still, the same role questions that cropped up with that quartet last year remain. Tyler Badie is a good pass protector, but didn’t provide much else. Jaleel McLaughlin is a nice change of pace, but he isn’t a true third-down back because his pass pro is lacking. RJ Harvey is explosive, talented and not a finished product. J.K. DobbinsThe free agent crop is pretty good and well-picked over. Denver was in the mix for Trevor Etienne, but ultimately wasn’t going to go as high as the $13 million a year he got from New Orleans.Denver is down one linebacker on net after bringing Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton back, but also releasing Dre Greenlaw. Never say never on one more veteran — the Broncos were well past the opening wave of free agency in 2024 when they signed Cody Barton to a one-year deal and he ended up playing 91% of snaps after Singleton tore his ACL in Week 3.The 2026 draft class is considered deep at inside linebacker. Georgia’s CJ Allen and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez likely won’t last until No. 62. Perhaps somebody like Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr. or Cincinnati’s Jake Golday will be an option there. But there are a ton to choose from. Not only that, but the Broncos may decide they have a worthy third already in the building. The leading candidate is Jordan Turner, while Levelle Bailey has also flashed. Drew Sanders is a wild card, but at this point can’t be counted on to be a major contributor because of the amount of development time he’s missed. Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts runs from Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Denver’s post-John Franklin-Myers plan is pretty clear: A combination of Malcom Roach, Eyioma Uwazruike and second-year man Sai’Vion Jones will be asked to fill in the production void.Jaylen Waddle knew of Broncos’ interest, says reuniting with Pat Surtain II is ‘special’Renck: How new Broncos receiver Jaylen Waddle will save Davis Webb’s play-calling opportunity This is a spot, though, where, if the Broncos and a veteran saw eye to eye on a role and an opportunity to play for a contender, there are still good players out there on the market. Calais Campbell is still playing well and, of course, is a Denver native. He’ll turn 40 in September, but what a story it would be if season No. 19 were a title pursuit in his hometown. Cam Jordan has a deep history with Sean Payton in New Orleans and can still really rush the passer at 36. Broncos fans, of course, know Shelby Harris well. Denico Autry played less — and missed five games — for Houston this year, but has been part of their terrific defense over the past two years and, even at 34, had a 10.9% pressure rate in 2025, according to Next Gen Stats. He’s been at that mark or better in six of his past eight seasons.Man was beaten to death outside Denver nightclub, police say2 Colorado prison wardens have been on paid leave for more than year. Officials won’t say why they’re being investigated. 2 Colorado prison wardens have been on paid leave for more than year. Officials won't say why they're being investigated.Mandatory evacuations ordered in 24 fire burning on Fort Carson in ColoradoColorado's budget deficit jumps to $1.5 billion under new forecast
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle on Joining Broncos: 'Going to be a Fun Group'After being acquired from the Dolphins, new Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle expressed that he's going to have 'fun.'
Read more »
Pat Surtain II Reveals First Reaction to Jaylen Waddle Joining BroncosPat Surtain II weighs in on the Jaylen Waddle trade.
Read more »
Hey Broncos, how about using Jaylen Waddle’s talent to unlock Evan Engram’s potential?When Engram was on the field, it became a tell that the Broncos were passing. That might be the case this season, but teams will have way more difficulty choosing how to guard Engram with Waddle and Sutton on the outside.
Read more »
Jaylen Petty scores 24 as Texas Tech beats Akron 91-71 in NCAA Tournament first roundTexas Tech was determined to rally together after losing its best player.Jaylen Petty scored 24 points, Christian Anderson added 18 and the fifth-seeded Red Rai
Read more »
Jaylen Petty leads Texas Tech to win over Akron in NCAA TournamentThe Red Raiders (23-10) will face fourth-seeded Alabama or No. 13 seed Hofstra in the second round in the Midwest Region on Sunday.
Read more »
Sean Payton Finally Breaks Silence on Jaylen WaddleThe Broncos' head coach finally spoke on Jaylen Waddle and it gives fans much to consider.
Read more »