How latest free-agency signing makes Denver WR room more perplexing

The wide receiver picture in Denver keeps getting fuzzier.

On Friday, the Broncos signed former Saints WR Marquez Callaway amid trade rumors involving WRs Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Multiple teams were reportedly interested in Jeudy. 

Denver signing a 24-year-old WR who played under new HC Sean Payton from 2020-21 could signal it still wants to make a move.

The Broncos are desperate for draft capital because they traded away seven picks—including three first-rounders—for QB Russell Wilson and Payton. 

The receiving corps is one of the few units with attractive choices for potential trade partners. Sutton, 27, is a former Pro Bowler, while Jeudy, 23, had 67 receptions for 972 yards last season, both career highs.

After the Callaway signing, there are fewer concerns about a replacement. In 2021, he produced solid numbers under Payton, recording 46 receptions for 698 yards in 17 games. He also averaged 15.2 yards per reception, 10th in the NFL.

The Broncos may have signed Callaway to bolster depth at WR. K.J. Hamler recently suffered a torn pectoral and will be out for four-to-six months. But given the circumstances and Callaway already having some experience with Payton, there might be more to this move.

Additionally, Denver's WR room will become more crowded when Tim Patrick, who led the team in receiving TDs in 2021, returns from an ACL tear he suffered in August.

The Broncos have question marks about their WR room heading into next season; seeing if they keep the group together or decide to let pieces go could be an offseason plot point.