Team news: Denver Broncos | Page 2

Broncos have waived RB Audric Estime per source.

Related players: RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin

This probably doesn't come as much of a surprise given Estime doesn't offer much in the pass-catching game. The Broncos are fresh off drafting Harvey and signing Dobbins. Estime was drafted just last year in the fifth round by the Broncos.

And another trade! The Denver Broncos are sending WR Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for a 2026 4th-round pick and a 2027 7th-round pick, per sources.

Related Players: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Mason Tipton, Brandin Cooks, Cedrick Wilson

That's a lot of related players, but the biggest impact is probably on rookie Pat Bryant, who has played well enough to make Vele expendable in Denver.

The Saints will presumably employ the 6'4" Vele as a rotational threat, which makes him a little more interesting in super deep leagues for a team that is projected to be playing from behind a ton.

I just got back from Broncos practice. There’s buzz around several players, but one name I haven’t seen mentioned enough is second-year WR Troy Franklin. The staff loves what they’ve seen, and he looks poised for a bigger role.

Related players: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin

The post went on to say Franklin's understanding of the position, overall toughness and strong hands should help make him a key target for QB Bo Nix. Schultz went on to say Denver believes it has multiple WRs ready - including Mims Jr. - to step up alongside Sutton. For what it's worth, we have Franklin a bit buried down the WR depth chart in Denver. Behind Sutton we have Mims, Vele and the rookie Bryant ahead of Franklin. But with really no clear-cut WR2 in that group, it really could be anyone's job and would certainly have some fantasy value.

Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle remain day-to-day as the team shifts from Chicago to Detroit on its 11-day preseason trip through the Midwest.

While the team’s top two receivers sat as most other starters played in Sunday’s preseason opener at the Chicago Bears, Hill and Waddle could see reps against the Lions in joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

“They’re definitely in the conversation, for sure,” McDaniel said of their prospects of practicing against the Lions.

The story said Hill was revealed last week to be dealing with an oblique injury as he was sidelined for the joint session with the Bears on Friday and then Sunday’s exhibition. The story added Waddle was involved in the practice and took a hard hit from Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.

As Bo Nix enters his second season as Denver’s starting quarterback, piloting a team that has been outspoken about its championship aspirations, the Broncos have no plans to meddle with his running instincts. However, they are emphasizing an important caveat.

“The audit would be more in regard to protecting himself at the end of those plays and the timing of when (the run) is a got-to-have-it versus (not),” Payton said. “So we’re comfortable with (Nix scrambling); it’s a strength. When the combine came, he didn’t shuttle. He didn’t do a number of these drills that I thought he would be exceptional at."

The story said because Nix didn't run at the combine, the team was surprised about his overall speed. The story added there may be a natural decline in Nix’s scramble attempts due to his increased familiarity with the offense and a better understanding from his receivers about how their quarterback prefers to make plays when he leaves the pocket. Nix had 26 scrambles in the first seven games of his rookie season. He had only 24 across his final 10 as he finished more of his pocket-escaping plays with throws to receivers who did a better job mirroring his scrambles, the story added. We are projecting Nix to have 86 rushes for just about 400 yards this season, and overall we have him ranked ninth among our QBs.

Tyreek Hill (oblique) not in pads

Also not suited up here for Miami Dolphins

Mo Kamara (protocol) Alec Ingold (protocol) Austin Jackson, Andrew Meyer, Byron Matos, Ashtyn Davis, Cam Smith, Dante Trader

Related Players: Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

It's been quite the tumultuous calendar year for Tyreek, who has buried his running back at one point, his whole team at another, and has been called out by his quarterback on a third occasion. This all comes after arguably his least efficient season of his career. Hill should be considered a mid-tier WR2, even if he doesn't miss any time.

Bills HC Sean McDermott said he’s being told as of now that WR Khalil Shakir should be on pace to return for the start of the season.

Shakir is dealing with a high ankle sprain.

Related Players: Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel

It would be fantastic news if Shakir were able to suit up to kick off the season, as we're still expecting him to pace the team in targets. If he has a fully healthy season, there are signs pointing to a potential true breakout, making him an intriguing WR3 at a WR4 price. That all depends on volume though, so any missed time makes him a less valuable pick due to a lack of "blow-up" games.

Despite RJ Harvey being listed as the Broncos' last RB on their first unofficial depth chart, it's pretty clear he's their No. 2 RB behind J.K. Dobbins.

What's notable about the RB depth chart is Jaleel McLaughlin is ahead of Audric Estime.

The depth chart Stevens is referencing has Harvey listed behind Tyler Badie and Blake Watson, which would be hilarious. We still have Harvey far ahead of Dobbins in our rankings, with eyes toward the back-half of the season.

The Broncos, with so many starters from 2024's playoff team returning, don't really have the traditional training camp battle anywhere between Player A or Player B. What they have instead are battles for situational snaps.

At running back, there is at least a battle to see who will get the ball in the most situations. J.K. Dobbins, who was signed during the team's June minicamp, has spent plenty of time in team drills with the starters in training camp's early going. His reliability as a pass catcher and pass blocker gives him the inside track on much of the third down work.

Related players: RJ Harvey

The blurb added that Harvey has flashed quality vision and quickness through the hole thus far, so much so coach Sean Payton has said "he's doing exceptional.'' The story added there will be a lot to sort out and much can change, but Dobbins looks, at the moment, to check the most boxes in the most down-and-distance situations.

Broncos and WR Courtland Sutton have reached agreement on a four-year, $92 million extension.

Related Players: Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin

Coming off a career year, Denver locks in a WR1 for Bo Nix for the immediate future. Sutton should continue to be considered a high-end WR3 for fantasy purposes, though the target share gets a little cloudy after him and tight end Evan Engram. Mims is probably the best bet to deliver in an ancillary role as ~WR5, but keep an eye on Bryant as the season progresses for a potential sneaky option.