The Denver Broncos sport the best roster in the AFC West and almost certainly are the team to beat in the AFC this year. Sure, with as good as everything seems to be for Denver right now, that would only make failing to reach the goal that much more brutal.
With that said, this team isn't missing anything on paper that would prevent them from winning the Super Bowl this year. While the team did lose defensive talent in the offseason in John Franklin-Myers and Dre Greenlaw, adding Jaylen Waddle in a trade does even-out the lost talent.
And when we take a look at the AFC West wide receivers as a whole, it's clear that the Broncos finally have something going for them at a position that has plagued them for years.
Denver Broncos finally have a threatening wide receiver room
6. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
To his credit, Troy Franklin did make some strides in his second season with the Broncos in 2025. He was second to Courtland Sutton in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, and was able to be an overall more efficient player. According to Pro Football Reference, Franklin had a passer rating when targeted of just 71.5 during his rookie season. In 2025, that rating improved to 85.8, and he had a lower drop rate.
While the ceiling isn't very high for Franklin, and he seems to be falling behind to guys like Pat Bryant and Marvin Mims Jr on the depth chart, his production in 2025 was greater than Bryant's and Mims', so for the time being, he'll be ranked ahead of them.
5. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Quentin Johnston definitely falls into that mid-range WR2 player. He's only set to enter his age-25 season and does have 16 receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons. He's caught 106 passes since the start of 2024 and really improved with his drops in 2025. While Johnston isn't close to being a legitimate WR1 in this league, another respectable season in 2026 like he's had in 2024 and 2025 would almost certainly land him a modest extension with the Los Angeles Chargers.
4. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice has played in just 12 regular season games over the past two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs. The availability is definitely an issue, but in those 12 games, he's put up the following production:
77 receptions
859 yards
7 touchdowns
This would average out to 109 receptions, 1,217 yards, and 10 touchdowns over a 17-game season. While Rice's stats are eye-popping, he's been a high-end producer when he's able to get on the field. With that said, his ranking could be a lot higher here if the availability was better, and the best ability in this league is being available.
The Chiefs will absolutely need Rice to remain on the field for a majority of the season if they hope to see their passing attack improve, but what is nice is that Rice does have a WR1 profile.
3. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
After a rookie season in which he caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns, Ladd McConkey saw his production crater in 2025, hauling in just 66 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns. McConkey does have a 104.1 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Reference, and his rookie season production can't be discounted.
With Mike McDaniel now in as the Chargers offensive coordinator, it's almost certain that he's going to make McConkey the center piece of the passing attack. With that said, McConkey is 6-0 and 185 pounds, so he's not a physically imposing player, but he makes up for that with his sharp route-running and YAC ability.
2. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton had eclipsed 1,000 yards two years in a row and has turned into one of the more clutch receivers on third and fourth down for the Broncos. While Sutton isn't a No. 1 receiver, we have seen him come up in big moments, but it became clear that there was a missing piece with this unit.
Sutton's 6-4 frame allows him to stretch the field and win with his physicality. He's also a better route-runner than you may think. While Sutton doesn't offer a ton after the catch at this stage of his career, his status as a high-end No. 2 target is going to be put on full display with Waddle's addition.
1. Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos
It's not really a discussion - not only is the AFC West rather weak at the position outside of the Broncos, Waddle is the best, most productive player at the position in the division. He's had three 1,000-yard seasons in his five years in the league and also led the NFL in yads per reception in his second year in the league back in 2022.
Waddle and Sutton do make a rather perfect duo at the position. Waddle's speed and separation ability fit well with Sutton's X profile, and the Broncos should finally see this passing attack come to life a bit in 2026.
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