Immediately after the Denver Broncos acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins earlier this offseason, fans and pundits started asking who would be the “WR1” in 2026: Waddle or Courtland Sutton?
Unfortunately for the fantasy football managers seeking a direct answer, coach Sean Payton doesn’t have one.
“We’re not just going to have, and I know someone’s getting ready to ask me, ‘Is he receiver [No.] 1 or 2?’ So we don’t have [that],” Payton said in March. “We just play different packages and try to give those guys the things that they do well.”
Sutton will presumably remain Denver’s “X” wide receiver, and Waddle has the versatility to line up all over the field. Payton will create opportunities for both receivers in 2026.
“He’s played everywhere,” Payton said of Waddle’s position. “I’ve seen him outside as a tremendous route runner, inside. The route tree is pretty expansive. … The best thing that I think he does is he’s explosive; he’s dynamic. A lot of times, the guys run fast, but I think he sends his hips in transition. I think you’ll see him play inside in the slot; you’ll see him outside. We’ll have speed packages that will feature [him].”
Playing in Miami last season, Waddle hauled in 64 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Sutton, while playing with quarterback Bo Nix, totaled 74 catches for 1,017 yards and seven scores. There should be enough targets to go around for both receivers to remain productive in 2026. With another weapon added to the mix, the Broncos‘ offense will look to take a step forward after ranking 11th in passing last season.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Fantasy Football: Will Jaylen Waddle be the WR1 for Denver Broncos?