Broncos roster review: Wide receiver Brandon Johnson

After a relatively slow college career, Brandon Johnson went undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft where the Denver Broncos signed him as an undrafted free-agent. After recovering from a training camp injury, he was signed to their practice squad where he spent the first part of the year before earning a roster spot as injuries ravaged the Broncos receivers. He played sparingly as a rookie.

Last year he performed much better. Appearing in 14 games, he hauled in 4 touchdowns and 284 yards while playing slightly under half of the Broncos offensive snaps. For perspective, he played more than Marvin Mims and had the third most snaps of any wide receiver.

Player Profile

Brandon Johnson | Wide Receiver | #89

Age: 26 | Experience: 3rd year | College: UCF via Tennessee

Height: 6-2| Weight: 195 pounds

2023 stats: 19 receptions, 284 yards, 4 touchdowns.

How he fits in with the Denver Broncos

Last year Johnson had the third most snaps of any wide receiver, behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy is now gone, but Johnson has to contend with Tim Patrick, newly signed free agent Josh Reynolds, development from Marvin Mims, and potentially Troy Franklin. The Broncos have a wide receiver room with interesting age splits. They have old receivers in Patrick and Phillip Dorsett at 31 and Sutton and Reynolds 29. They have mid-twenties players with relatively low expectations in Johnson alongside Jalen Virgil (26), Devaughn Vele (27), David Sills (28), Michael Bandy (27), and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (26). Finally they have young talent to develop in Marvin Mims (22) and Troy Franklin (21). How this translates into roster spots will be tough.

Last year Denver started the year with 4 receivers on the roster and 4 on the practice squad, though through most of the year they kept 5 receivers on the active roster. I would be stunned if Patrick, Sutton, Franklin, Mims or Reynolds do not make the active roster. There have been persistent trade rumors surrounding Sutton, and he is the only player where Denver would save money by moving on, but unless there are injuries this group is going to be tough to break into.

Final Thoughts

I like Johnson, and last year I liked him substantially better than Jerry Jeudy. I hope he makes a step forward, and is able to breakout this year. He is either going to need some luck or a great camp to make the roster, though I would expect him to easily find a spot on the practice squad.