The Denver Broncos lost at home to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, in case you haven't heard, and it's clear that this team needs to make some additions to the roster. The Broncos simply didn't have enough against the Raiders in the way of playmakers offensively, whether we're talking about wide receivers or tight ends.
Unfortunately, it's slim pickings out there, but there could be chances to add some veteran help via free agency or perhaps poach someone off of another team's practice squad.
We're going to do our best to play the part of pro scout and GM and figure out some solutions for the Denver Broncos to get some more juice in the lineup despite limited options available.
5 players the Denver Broncos should sign after Week 1 loss to Raiders
1. Dan Arnold, tight end
Wouldn't it be nice to have a tight end on the roster right now who could run fast? The Denver Broncos traded Albert Okwuegbunam to the Philadelphia Eagles for next to nothing, and now with Greg Dulcich suffering an injury in Week 1 against the Raiders, it looks like they could use his athleticism.
With all due respect to Adam Trautman, it looked like he was dragging cinder blocks in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Raiders as Russell Wilson hit him over the middle of the field with a chance to outrun or shed one defender for a key first down. Unfortunately, Trautman's lack of speed cost the Broncos a shot at keeping the drive alive, and they were forced to punt.
Not that Dan Arnold would be the savior, but as a former wide receiver, he's at least got a little giddy-up and he's also played in Sean Payton's offense in the past. At least adding this guy to the practice squad and seeing what he's got on a trial basis would be interesting. He has 95 career receptions for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns at an average of 13.2 yards per reception. He's currently a free agent.
2. OJ Howard, tight end
OJ Howard is a former first-round pick out of Alabama who started off his NFL career with quite the bang. He averaged over 15 yards per catch in his first three NFL seasons, but injuries obviously slowed down his progress and he's struggled to find his footing over the last three seasons.
He did get some limited opportunities with the Houston Texans last year and caught 10 passes for 145 yards, another respectable and frankly intriguing 14.5 yards per reception along with a pair of touchdowns. Howard was a 9.76 on the RAS scale coming out of Alabama, and speed has always been an asset for him.
I think if you could sign him to the practice squad, get him acclimated to the offense, and put him in the mix, he could bring some of that speed back to the position that you're losing with Dulcich out and Okwuegbunam gone.
3. Jalen Reagor, wide receiver (Pats practice squad)
The Denver Broncos need all the help at wide receiver they can get. They have four guys on the 53-man roster in Courtland Sutton, Brandon Johnson, Marvin Mims, and the currently injured Jerry Jeudy. Jerry will be back in action soon (hopefully), but before that happens, you can't help but wonder why the Broncos aren't doing more to add to this position.
They brought in David Sills from the Giants (who didn't play in Week 1) as well as Phillip Dorsett from the Raiders, but those were practice squad additions and one of Dorsett's two free call-ups was already used in Week 1. The same is true for practice squad receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who caught a touchdown in the loss to Las Vegas.
I think the Broncos need to poach Reagor off the Patriots practice squad and get the former first-round pick in the building. He brings speed to the table, and he is also a reclamation project worth taking on given his youth (only 24 years old).
4. Jarvis Landry, wide receiver
You won't typically find me in the camp clamoring for the Denver Broncos to call up aging veterans at skill positions, but I could see the benefit to having a player like Jarvis Landry on this roster with a coach like Sean Payton.
First off, he was in an iteration of this offense last year with the Saints. Of course, Payton wasn't with the Saints last year, but much of their offensive principles remained under Pete Carmichael. Landry played in just nine games for the Saints last season so his usage was down, but the Broncos may need another veteran option at the receiver position who can move the chains.
Landry is a five-time Pro Bowl receiver and if nothing else, the Broncos could try to utilize a practice squad spot and do this type of thing on a trial basis. It can't hurt at this point.
5. Bradley Roby, cornerback
Not every salary cap casualty needs to be an option for the Denver Broncos, but with the way the secondary has players dropping left and right at this point, a player like Bradley Roby certainly couldn't hurt to add to the mix.
Roby was a first-round pick by the Broncos in 2014 and has carved out a nice career for himself, not only in Denver but in stops with Houston and New Orleans. He can play outside, he can play in the slot, and he brings a veteran presence which this young Denver secondary may need very soon.