ESPN gives the Broncos an offseason grade that’s passing

The Denver Broncos didn’t have a huge offseason.

One wasn’t needed coming off a 14-3 year and appearing in the AFC Title Game.

But Denver did make one major splash — the addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins which cost the Broncos their first-round pick (and more). It makes sense why Sean Payton and George Paton made the trade, Waddle is better than anyone they would’ve taken at No. 30 overall.

Retaining Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad and J.K. Dobbins created other big headlines locally, but not nationally. The Broncos flew under the radar.

ESPN’s Seth Walder gave every NFL team a grade for their offseason on Tuesday and he settled on a “B” for for the Broncos.

“It’s a move I can understand more than most trades of this caliber, given the Broncos’ limited window with Nix’s rookie contract,” Walder wrote about Waddle. “Denver’s recipe is to surround Nix with an exceptional roster, and the receiver position needed augmenting.”

Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin are household names in Denver, but clearly this perspective is the Broncos needed more playmakers. Waddle provides that.

Walder is a fan of Singleton and Strnad, the inside linebacker duo returning, but took a shot at Dobbins in his final sentence. He called the contract “an overpay for an injury-prone 27-year-old back.”

Dobbins has been hurt most of his career, that’s fair. He was a monster through 10 games last season before a Lisfranc injury sidelined him the rest of the way. Dobbins has vowed that won’t be the case in 2026.

But the reality is spending $8 million guaranteed on Dobbins doesn’t seem like a huge risk. If it doesn’t work out then the Broncos can cut him this offseason and move on. His upside is worth rolling the dice.

Only one team received an “A” grade from Walder — the Eagles. And only one earned a “D” in the form of the Cardinals. Denver was in the middle of the road like most NFL teams.

Alas, this will be settled on the field. Offseason grades are fun in June, but don’t matter come September.

To see the full list, click here.

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