Broncos’ roster ranked 2nd in NFL after Jaylen Waddle trade
The Broncos are expected to have a more complete roster than they did in 2025.
Prior to the Denver Broncos ' trade for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle , the Denver front office had doubled down on their 2026 roster construction by re-signing their own players while the rest of the NFL was spending like mad at the outset of free agency. However, after the trade, Denver's roster earned high marks, with Bleacher Report's Moe Moton naming the Broncos as having the second-best roster in the NFL . "In free agency, the Broncos only lost defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, backup safety P.
J. Locke and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who played eight games in the previous campaign," Moton wrote for B/R . According to Moton, the reasons for the hope are many.
"In 2025, quarterback Bo Nix showcased his clutch gene, leading the league with seven game-winning drives," Moton wrote . "Assuming he fully recovers from a broken ankle , look for him to make more strides throwing to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle while he's behind arguably the NFL's best offensive line that features All-Pros Garet Bolles and Quinn Meinerz. "Meanwhile, Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper and Zach Allen will spearhead a defensive unit that registered a league-leading 68 sacks last season.
All-Pros Patrick Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga have meshed well as field generals in the secondary. The Broncos have a high-end receiver duo with Courtland Sutton and Waddle and the best collection of talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage. " The only team to beat out Denver was the Los Angeles Rams, who were also in their conference championship game in 2025.