32BeatWriters - Broncos Training Camp Preview: Nix, Waddle, Sutton, Dobbins, Coleman, Engram and More

Troutman is the traditional inline wide-blocking tight end who played 500-600 snaps last season but received only 23 targets (20 catches); he's underrated as a receiver—not a burner but a consistent, reliable pass-catching option—but is primarily used as a check-release guy and blocker rather than a primary target; more passing game involvement could be needed, especially with Jay Lamado coming in.

Cody Roark notes that Bo Nix's biggest area for improvement is staying in a clean pocket longer rather than sensing and anticipating pressure and bailing out early. While this mobility-driven approach has worked due to his legs and ability to extend plays, Roark suggests more consistent pocket presence could elevate his game. He also emphasizes that a functional Broncos run game is critical to reducing pressure on Bo to carry the offense.

Bo Nix sacked only 22 times last year, which was the best in the NFL; his on-target throw percentage was around 77 percent with a 15.1 bad throw percentage, and he led the NFL in overall passing attempts. Cody Roark assesses him as a consistently accurate quarterback despite some perception otherwise, noting that 43 drops by Broncos skill players last season affected his numbers. Roark expects Bo to have a sharper, more confident demeanor if the Broncos run game takes off, reducing pressure on his shoulders to do everything.

Lohner is a project tight end who missed OTAs and mini-camp after a lower-body procedure; he faces stiff competition from Dallin Bentley (his Utah counterpart with far more experience and proven sample size) and others for the backup inline tight end job behind Adam Troutman.

Cortland Sutton will coexist well with Jalen Waddle in the Broncos passing game. Cody Roark notes that Sutton is one of the better contested jump ball situation guys in the league and will continue to see bracket coverage and safety help on key passing downs. Roark expects Sutton's role to remain strong, with the addition of Waddle forcing defenses to pick their poison between the two receivers. Roark notes that Sutton and Waddle will each carry a $27-28 million salary cap hit next year, indicating their importance to the offense.

Sutton is one of the two top receivers who will never leave the field in Denver's offense alongside Jalen Waddle; he's expected to be a primary target with explosive play potential (20+ yard plays), and defenses will have to allocate significant coverage resources to stop him.

Bentley is a seventh-round option who projects as an inline Y tight end and is competing for the backup job behind Adam Troutman; he has far more experience and a more proven sample size than fellow Utah counterpart Caleb Lohner, putting him in contention alongside Lucas Kroll and Nate Adkins for the backup inline role.

Engram played a career-low 42% of snaps last season (lowest non-injury year of his career) despite being brought to Denver partly because of his connection with Davis Webb; early OTA and mandatory mini-camp reports show he's being used more in the passing game than last year at this juncture; he's expected to be the F-type move-around tight end, and Davis Webb's arrival as play-caller could unlock more usage since Engram was a big reason Engram came to Denver.

J.K. Dobbins is the Broncos RB1 and will be the primary ball carrier in the offense. Cody Roark expects Dobbins to receive around 15-18 touches per game in an ideal scenario, with the potential for 1,000 rushing yards. Roark calls him 'the energizer bunny to the Broncos run game' and notes that when Dobbins was healthy last year before his injury in week 10, he was a top-five leading rusher in the NFL with over 700 yards. Roark emphasizes the importance of riding the hot hand with Dobbins rather than alternating series too frequently.

Cody Roark expects J.K. Dobbins' involvement in the passing game to remain similar to last year, when he averaged just over one target per game. Roark views RJ Harvey as the all-around receiving threat out of the backfield in the Kamara mold, while Dobbins is positioned as the primary rushing option. Roark does not anticipate a significant increase in Dobbins' receiving volume this season.

Cody Roark expresses affinity for Jaleel McLaughlin, noting that he bulked up this offseason and added muscle mass to evolve his game. Despite a 4.8 yard per carry career average on 200+ carries, Roark views McLaughlin as a wild card in the running back room with potential upside. Roark expects the Broncos to carry four running backs on their 53-man roster, though not all four will be active on game day.

Jalen Waddle is expected to be a game-changer for the Broncos offense, pulling an extra defender out of the box and creating more favorable matchups for other skill players. Cody Roark notes that Waddle can win in open space and will force defenses to choose between focusing on him or Cortland Sutton. Roark expects Waddle to coexist well with Sutton due to their different skill sets, with Waddle's presence opening up opportunities for Sutton, RJ Harvey, and other receivers. Roark indicates Waddle will carry a $27-28 million salary cap hit next year, reflecting his importance to the offense.

Waddle is one of the two top receivers who will never leave the field in Denver's offense alongside Courtland Sutton; she's expected to be a primary target with explosive play potential (20+ yard plays), and defenses will have to allocate significant coverage resources to stop her.

Jonah Coleman is expected to fill the third-down, goal-line, and two-minute role that Tyler Biddle played last year. Cody Roark views Coleman as a difference-maker in the running back room despite his size, noting that he is deceptively explosive in short bursts and has proven in the pass protection department. Roark expects Coleman to receive around 5-10 total touches (not necessarily carries) per game in an ideal scenario, making him a situational weapon.

Joly is the fifth-round rookie tight end positioned as the backup F-type move-around tight end behind Evan Engram; he has good size, willingness to block, good athleticism, good grip, and reliable hands; he'll likely be a game-day inactive early in the season unless he excels on special teams, but could find playing time if he has a strong preseason and is used effectively alongside Engram.

Kroll has been on the Broncos for the last couple of seasons but will have a hard time making the active roster; he's competing with Dallin Bentley and Nate Adkins for the backup inline tight end job behind Adam Troutman.

Marvin Mims is part of the five-receiver room that Cody Roark expects the Broncos to carry on their 53-man roster. Roark notes that Mims is one of the guys who will benefit from the increased motion in Davis Webb's offense, as the Broncos look to add new wrinkles to their passing attack. Roark views Mims as having a defined role and job within the offense.

Mims is entering his last year of his contract with no contract talks started; he's been underutilized since joining Denver (averaging just 15 snaps per game at times), and his role remains a big mystery heading into 2026; he showed clutch ability in the Buffalo playoff game (double move, pass interference draw in OT), but the Broncos have struggled to properly utilize him in terms of touches despite his talent.

Adkins is a hybrid tight end who can play inline or F-type position; he's competing with Lucas Kroll and Dallin Bentley for the backup inline tight end job behind Adam Troutman.

Pat Bryant is part of the five-receiver room that Cody Roark expects the Broncos to carry on their 53-man roster. Roark views Bryant as having a defined role and job within the offense, though specific details about his usage are not provided in this segment.

Bryant is liked as a reliable option behind Jalen Waddle in year two of the system; he's a strong route runner with excellent hands (three drops last season), good size, and blocks well despite 40-yard dash concerns; he creates separation through route-running and man/zone recognition rather than pure speed.

RJ Harvey is viewed as the all-around receiving threat out of the backfield in the Alvin Kamara mold, with the expectation that he can become a 1,000-yard all-purpose back when combining rushing and receiving. Cody Roark expects Harvey to receive around 10-12 touches per game in an ideal scenario. Roark notes that Harvey took a massive step last year despite his 3.2-3.4 yards per carry, as he was dynamic in the passing game and made clutch plays as a rookie. Roark emphasizes that Harvey's role is secure and he will not be the odd man out with Coleman's arrival.

Cody Roark explains that defenses key on RJ Harvey by playing wider with their ends and outside guys to prevent him from getting to the outside due to his speed and explosiveness. When J.K. Dobbins went down last year, Harvey struggled in the run game because defenses loaded the box, knowing they could focus on stopping the pass. Roark expects that Jalen Waddle's arrival will help open up Harvey in the passing game by pulling an extra defender out of the box, creating more one-on-one opportunities for Harvey against slower linebackers.

Troy Franklin saw an increase in overall targets last year because defenses were taking away Cortland Sutton on key passing downs. Cody Roark expects Franklin to continue to have a role in the Broncos passing game, though the addition of Jalen Waddle may shift target distribution. Roark views Franklin as one of five quality receivers the Broncos will carry on their 53-man roster.

Franklin is a deep-field speed threat in year three of the system with expectations jumping up; he's taller than Jalen Waddle but has similar or close speed, bigger than Marvin Mims with very similar speed; he had four drops last year (improvement from rookie season) and is positioned as a wild card alongside Pat Bryant to create matchup problems when defenses focus on Sutton and Waddle.