The Denver Broncos were one of the NFL’s best surprises in 2024 posting a 10-7 record and securing a Wild Card Berth to snap their eight-year playoff drought. The attention now falls to the 2025 NFL Draft where Denver holds the No. 20 pick.
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix led a team that was ahead of schedule last season, but will the Broncos look to add more weapons to Sean Payton’s offensive system? PFSN’s latest mock draft has them doing just that with an elusive weapon.
Broncos Expected To Add ‘Game-Changing’ Missouri Receiver
The Broncos overachieved by making the playoffs with a rookie quarterback in 2024. There were questions about Nix during last year’s draft but he put those to rest by throwing for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He added 430 yards and four touchdowns on the ground en route to finishing third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Offensive production came by committee for Denver as Courtland Sutton was the only skill player to eclipse 1,000 yards. The veteran receiver also led the team with eight touchdowns. Marvin Mims Jr. was the next leading receiver with just 503 yards on 39 receptions.
The running game never hit its stride with Javonte Williams leading the team with 513 rushing yards. Jaleel McLaughlin and Nix were the next leading rushers with 496 and 430 yards, respectively.
It’s a small miracle Payton put together a playoff team with what his offense produced as the unit came in at No. 16 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. The head coach has been on record saying he wants a “Joker” on offense. He’s historically had highly versatile pieces in his offense going back to the New Orleans Saints, and PFSN’s Owain Jones is confident he’ll add one in Missouri receiver Luther Burden III.
Jones wrote, “Sean Payton has spoken about the necessity of getting elusive game-changing weapons on the Denver Broncos offense, and Luther Burden III is just that. The Missouri wide receiver is an elusive and crafty route runner. An elite separator with twitchy movement and the ability to make plays in all areas of the field, his RAC usage and hyper-explosive mobility would be a dream in Payton’s offense.”
Burden is one of the highest-profile receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft and could fill Payton’s “Joker” role. The receiver posted just 676 receiving yards, 61 receptions, and six touchdowns in his final college season but added nine carries, 115 yards, and two scores on the ground.
Payton has used players like Reggie Bush, Darren Sproles, and Alvin Kamara in the “Joker” role previously, and finding one in Denver would fully unlock the offense. Denver legend Peyton Manning recently expressed his confidence in Payton and GM George Paton to add the right pieces this offseason, so Bronco fans should be hoping for Burden at No. 20.