RADIO
Jaylen Waddle a Borderline Week 7 Start Against Vulnerable Cardinals
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is a borderline WR3/flex start against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7, with a favorable matchup offsetting some concerns surrounding Denver's passing game. Waddle (chest) practiced fully Friday and carries no game designation, so production, not availability, is the primary concern. He has drawn 25 targets over his last four games but converted them into only 13 receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. His 138-yard performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2 accounts for more than half of his 228 receiving yards on the season, and he managed just 24 yards on seven targets against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. Denver ranks 30th in passing yards per game (174.8), helping explain why his involvement has yielded so little fantasy production. Arizona has allowed an NFL-high 16 passing touchdowns through six games and could be without questionable cornerback Max Melton (knee).
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton Remains a Week 7 Bench Option
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is a bench option in most 10- and 12-team leagues for Sunday's visit to the Arizona Cardinals, having not exceeded 46 receiving yards in a game this season. He has 13 receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown through six games, including two catches for 19 yards against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. His 28 season targets have produced a 46.4% catch rate, so the disappointing results extend beyond a lack of volume. Arizona's injury concerns in the secondary improve the matchup, but Bo Nix has thrown for just 230 yards over the past two games, and Sutton has five catches for 41 yards across his past three appearances.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle a Risky WR3/Flex as he Looks to Get Going
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (chest) is cleared for Sunday's road matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, but he is a risky WR3/flex. He practiced fully Friday and has no game designation, yet he has finished below 40 receiving yards in four consecutive games, most recently catching four passes for 24 yards against the Seattle Seahawks. Waddle has 22 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown this season, with 138 of those yards coming against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Arizona is dealing with injuries to Budda Baker (groin/illness) and Max Melton (knee), both questionable, which gives him a more favorable setting for a rebound.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Dealing With Chest Injury, Limited on Wednesday
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (chest) is on the team's Week 7 injury report and was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. A shoulder injury caused Waddle to leave last Thursday's win over the Seattle Seahawks briefly before eventually returning to the contest, but now he is dealing with a chest injury. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on the 27-year-old's status over the next couple of days, but as of right now, it does not seem like an injury serious enough to sideline him for Denver's Week 7 game on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. With that said, Waddle has been one of the biggest disappointments of the year so far in fantasy in his first year with the Broncos. The former sixth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2021 from Alabama just has not clicked with struggling quarterback Bo Nix, and he has brought down 22 catches for only 228 yards and one touchdown in his first six games with the team. Waddle has gone over 35 receiving yards just once, when he had 138 yards on eight catches in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has fallen into WR3/flex territory until Denver's offense can wake up.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Courtland Sutton Continues to Slip in Rest-of-Season Rankings
Despite decent usage early in the year, Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has topped 25 receiving yards only once, and he's now seen just three targets in back-to-back games. With the Broncos offense struggling through six weeks, Sutton ranks as the fantasy WR78, and the red-zone opportunities that have elevated his value in recent years have all but dried up. This year, he's seen only five red zone targets and has come down with only two catches and one touchdown. Heading into what should be a favorable Week 6 matchup with the Cardinals, Sutton is RotoBaller's WR44 and best left on the bench wherever possible.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle a Non-Factor Once Again in Week 6
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle caught four of seven passes for 24 yards in the 17-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Once again, Waddle delivered a lackluster effort and is on pace for his worst statistical season. In six games, Waddle has caught 22 of 38 targets for 228 yards and a touchdown, averaging 7.4 half-PPR fantasy points per game. After changing play-callers in Week 5, from offensive coordinator Davis Webb to head coach Sean Payton, many hoped Waddle would become a more prominent focal point of the offense. However, his production has only declined. With quarterback Bo Nix producing as one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, Waddle hasn't been a reliable fantasy option. Until Nix finds a rhythm or Payton finds ways to get him the ball, Waddle should not be in starting lineups moving forward.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Courtland Sutton Hopes to Find End Zone for Second Straight Week
With fellow Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant placed on Injured Reserve, wide receiver Courtland Sutton stepped up and found the end zone in Week 5. Sutton finished a win over the Los Angeles Chargers with two receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown, his first of the season. Sutton is RotoBaller's 45th-ranked wide receiver in Week 6, when the Broncos face the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks allowed San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans to lead the way with seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown, but aside from him, 49ers wide receivers totaled just four receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. Sutton is projected to score seven fantasy points this week against Seattle.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Struggling to Get Going
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has had a slow start to the season, which included a five-reception, 19-yard performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. Waddle has just 18 receptions for 204 yards and one touchdown through the first five games of the season. If it weren't for an eight-reception, 138-yard effort in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, his statistics would be among some of the least productive wide receivers in the NFL. Waddle is RotoBaller's 29th-ranked wide receiver entering Week 6, when he is projected to score nine fantasy points against a Seattle Seahawks defense that allowed San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans to go off for seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown last week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton's Struggles Continue Despite the Change of Play-Caller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton caught his first touchdown of the year in a Week 5 win over the Chargers, but with only 18 yards on two receptions, he couldn't crack the top 30 at the position. Sutton's early-season struggles at least came with the caveat of encouraging usage, but he saw a season-low three targets in Sean Payton's first game back as play caller. He has now topped 25 receiving yards only once, and with quarterback Bo Nix struggling mightily to begin his third season, Sutton is no longer a player who needs to be rostered in most redraft formats. The Broncos face the Seahawks Thursday night, and with Seattle representing the third-most difficult fantasy matchup for wide receivers, Sutton is RotoBaller's WR44.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Doesn't Make an Impact Versus Chargers
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had limited impact in a 23-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. Waddle recorded just two receptions (on five targets) for 19 yards. He added one rush for six yards. Waddle was on the field for 40 offensive snaps, but on a day when quarterback Bo Nix threw for only 123 yards, there weren't many opportunities in the passing game. Tight end Evan Engram led the Broncos with four receptions for 55 yards, while wide receiver Courtland Sutton caught Nix's only touchdown pass on Sunday. This is the third time in the first five games of 2026 that Waddle recorded two receptions or fewer, and he has recorded 35 receiving yards or fewer in four out of five games this season. His usage is something to monitor moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Troy Franklin Still Waiting for Targets Entering Week 5
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin could be in line for more playing time Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers after Pat Bryant (ankle) landed on injured reserve. The problem is that Franklin has already been getting snaps without seeing much of the football. He played 30 offensive snaps against San Francisco last week, more than Bryant or Marvin Mims Jr., but wasn't targeted once. Franklin has only two catches for 48 yards on four targets through Week 4, a sharp drop from last season's 65 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns. Sean Payton taking back the play-calling duties adds another wrinkle to Denver's offense, and the Chargers will be without Donte Jackson (hamstring) and Derwin James (hamstring) in their secondary. Neither development changes the fact that Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton remain ahead of Franklin for receiving work. RotoBaller has him at WR66 in its updated Week 5 rankings. Until the targets start coming, Franklin belongs on fantasy benches even in most deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Marvin Mims Jr. Still Difficult to Trust Despite Favorable Week 5 Matchup
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. could see more playing time Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, but his limited involvement in the passing game remains a concern. Mims returned from a two-game absence last week and caught one of three targets for 10 yards against San Francisco. He played 27% of Denver's offensive snaps, up from 17% in the season opener, and Pat Bryant (ankle) has since landed on injured reserve. That could open additional opportunities, although Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton remain ahead of Mims, with Troy Franklin also competing for targets. The matchup offers some encouragement. Los Angeles will be without cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) and safety Derwin James (hamstring), while Sean Payton is taking back play-calling duties from Davis Webb. Still, Mims has not shown enough receiving involvement to warrant much fantasy consideration. RotoBaller ranks him WR86 for Week 5, leaving him on the bench in all but the deepest leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton Still a Tough Start Despite Chargers Injuries
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has given fantasy managers little reason to trust him through four weeks, although Sunday's matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers brings a few changes worth noting. Sutton has caught nine of 22 targets for 86 yards without a touchdown, including a one-catch, four-yard performance against San Francisco last week. Head coach Sean Payton is taking back play-calling duties from Davis Webb, while Pat Bryant (ankle) has landed on injured reserve. The Chargers will also be without cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) and safety Derwin James (hamstring), leaving their secondary shorthanded. That could give Denver's passing game a better opportunity to get going, but Sutton has struggled even when the targets have been there. Jaylen Waddle has been the more productive receiver, and Sutton has yet to establish much consistency with Bo Nix this season. RotoBaller ranks him WR45 for Week 5, making him difficult to recommend outside deeper leagues. Most fantasy managers should keep Sutton on the bench until he shows signs of turning things around.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Facing Hot Chargers Pass Defense
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's up-and-down season continued in Week 4, when he finished a loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a solid day, consisting of five receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown. It was nowhere near his breakout Week 2 performance. Still, it was a solid bounce-back effort after a slow Week 3. Now, Waddle will go up against a hot Los Angeles Chargers pass defense, which did a nice job limiting 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, to just five receptions for 76 yards while holding him out of the end zone this past week. Waddle is RotoBaller's 21st-ranked wide receiver and is projected to score 11 fantasy points against the Chargers in Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Bryant to Miss at Least Four Games on Injured Reserve
The Denver Broncos are placing wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle) on injured reserve, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Bryant was carted off after a 30-yard catch in Sunday's loss to San Francisco, finishing with three receptions for 47 yards. The move is somewhat surprising after head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday he didn't think Bryant would need to go on IR, although he didn't rule it out. The second-year receiver had been earning more playing time, handling 70% of Denver's offensive snaps in Week 3 and catching nine passes for 133 yards and a touchdown through four games. Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. could see more work behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle while Bryant is sidelined. November 8 against Carolina is the first game Bryant would be eligible to play, not a guaranteed return date. He's difficult to hold in most redraft leagues with at least four games on the sidelines.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
