The Denver Broncos made some notable offensive changes this offseason, including overhauling their running back room with the additions of second round rookie, RJ Harvey, and free agent veteran, JK Dobbins.
But despite having a broadly positive supporting cast on offense for second year QB, Bo Nix, there are still certain questions to be had about the strength about the team’s pass-catching options.
Pro Bowl tight end, Evan Engram came westwards after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars this past March, and the team drafted Illinois receiver, Pat Bryant, with their third pick in April’s draft.
Yet there remains a feeling that the offense could benefit from adding one or two big-name faces if they are to seriously challenge the Kansas City Chiefs and the emerging Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West this season.
This was echoed by CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, who pinpointed “wide receiver” as the roster’s biggest remaining deficiency ahead of training camp.
“Wide receiver has a lot of youth and there is confidence in Payton’s ability to make it work,” Edwards wrote on Tuesday, “but there is not a lot in that room other teams would be tripping over themselves to acquire.”
To rectify this, the Broncos should consider adding another big name to their receiving corps, and the Indianapolis Colts‘ Michael Pittman Jr. could be an excellent candidate.
The Broncos Could Find A Way To Lure AFC South Star To The West
Michael Pittman Jr. may have once been the apple of Indianapolis’ eye, but a down year in 2024 that saw him manage just 808 receiving yards – his lowest total since his rookie year in 2019 – along with an increasingly expensive contract, could well see him if not expendable, then certainly “not immune” to trade.
The former USC product will count for $23 million and $29 million against the cap in the next two of his three year, $70 million deal signed last offseason.
Those are not prohibitive cap hits, particularly in the current soaring-salary climate. But for a team that has little idea exactly who their starting quarterback will be in Week 1, and also has multiple other options at the position in Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce – the Colts could look to shift their WR1 and give more opportunities to their younger, talented wideouts.
Denver Would Have A Truly Dangerous Receiving Corps By Adding Michael Pittman Jr.
A trade for Pittman Jr. would hinge substantially on at least a partial return to form in 2025. The leader of the unit at the moment, Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton, had his best statistical year since 2019 last season, but he will spend the majority of the 2025 regular season as a 31 year old; a 31 year old who will be out of contract come next offseason.
Pittman Jr. gives the Broncos a future #1 at the position, and possibly lethal receiving tandem in 2025 with whom younger talents like Bryant, Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims can continue to develop.
Denver Broncos receive: Michael Pittman Jr., 2026 sixth round pick
Indianapolis Colts receive: 2026 third round pick.
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