Jaylen Waddle has top-10 WR season and 3 other Broncos bold predictions for 2026 NFL season

The Denver Broncos had many of the elements needed to emerge as one of the most improved teams in the AFC last season. The combination of head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix looked good going into the year based on the progress the QB1 made as a rookie. It was also clear that the Broncos had the defense to cause huge problems for most of the opponents they would face during the season.

But nobody could have anticipated that it would all come together for the Broncos and they would take the top spot in the division away from the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos would win 11 regular-season games in a row and the Chiefs would fall apart after nine consecutive AFC West titles.

Nix had an excellent season and his rapport with wide receiver Courtland Sutton was a big reason why the Broncos had the kind of offense that meshed with the team’s powerful defense, which was one of the best in the league. However, that offense lacked explosiveness, and the Broncos have gone a long way towards improving in that area by trading for Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins.

Waddle will give the Broncos an explosive quality and big-play ability

Waddle had five seasons with the Dolphins in which he showed off his game-breaking ability. His best performance came in 2022 when he caught 75 passes for 1,356 yards and 8 touchdowns and averaged a league-leading 18.1 yards per catch. His numbers went down the last two years, but so did the Dolphins as QB Tua Tagovailoa lost much of his effectiveness.

However, Waddle will have new life with a team that should be elite once again this season. He will serve as a game-breaking weapon for Nix and he will also take the pressure off of Sutton, who is one of the most dependable wideouts in the game.

Waddle will show off his full set of skills with the Broncos. While the highlight films show off his ability to make big play, he is an outstanding route runner who can also make big plays on short- and medium pass routes. He will be in an ideal situation with a young quarterback who has established himself but is still improving and a head coach in Payton who has one of the best offensive minds in the business.

Look for Waddle to earn Pro Bowl honors and become one of the league leaders in yards per reception.

Nix has the support system to continue to rise

The combination of Waddle and Sutton gives Nix a security blanket on passing plays. One of those two should be open on most plays and No. 3 receiver Troy Franklin is also a threat after catching 65-709-6 last year.

There is no way Nix would have grown as much as has after two seasons if it was not for his offensive line. Start with OTs. Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey. Bolles is on the left side and he was an All-Pro performer last year at the age of 34.

He is coming off the best season of his career and he should be able to match that performance or at least come close to it this season. McGlinchey is one of the best pass blockers in the league and has been so for two seasons in a row.

Nix also has the support of right guard Quinn Meinerz, and he is a former third-round pick who has won All-Pro honors twice in first five years.

Nix threw for 3,931 yards with a 25-11 TD-interception ratio. Look for Nix to exceed 4,000 yards and improve his TD total to 30 this season.

Hufanga and Surtain give the Broncos elite secondary

While the primary focus is always going to be on quarterback play and a team’s ability to make highlight-film plays, no team can realistically contend for championships on a consistent basis without great defensive play.

That is the identity of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s outstanding unit. The Broncos have strength throughout their defense, but it is the play of safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Patrick Surtain that causes the biggest problems for opposing offensive coordinators.

Hufanga finished second on the Broncos with 106 tackles last season and also delivered 2.0 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 11 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble.

Surtain is probably the best cover man in the NFL. He does not have the huge interception total because opposing quarterbacks know how good he is and don’t want to test him. Surtain has allowed just 3 TD receptions in the past two seasons. He had 47 tackles, 12 passes defensed and 1 interception last season.

Look for Hufanga and Surtain to earn All-Pro honors this season as the Broncos have one of the three best defensive teams in the NFL.

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