RSS Broncos Team Notes

[Denver Broncos]

NFL free agent profile: Receiver Christian Kirk

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 18: Christian Kirk #13 of the Houston Texans carries the ball as Carlton Davis III #7 of the New England Patriots defends in the first quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

NFL free agency is about impact and fit.

There are players and teams you just know. Everyone knows, even ones not affiliated with the franchise. You just know in your gut your team will target and sign this specific player … at least you hope.

Then there’s that next crop of free agents and players, where they would be nice pieces, but the impact isn’t as great as the first crop. There is a skosh of doubt for both fit and impact.

One such potential free agent is receiver Christian Kirk. His name doesn’t jump off the page or even immediately come to mind when you think about the Denver Broncos. Still, Kirk could become a player George Paton and Sean Payton turn to, depending on how things play out in a few weeks.

Player Profile​

Height: 5-11

Weight: 200 pounds

Experience: 7 NFL seasons

Age: 29

2025 stats: 28 receptions, 238 yards, 1 touchdown catch

Why the Broncos should sign receiver Christian Kirk​

When Kirk is on, he has an immediate impact on an offense. He has deep-threat, big-play potential.

We saw that in his two best seasons, 2021 and 2022, with the Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kirk finished the 2021 season with 77 catches for 982 yards and five touchdowns. In 2022, Kirk had his best season, recording 84 receptions for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns.

If that’s the Kirk the Broncos get if they sign him, he changes the offense. He allows Payton and Bo Nix to stretch the defense and add the vertical threat this offense lacks.

He’s also a veteran who brings leadership to the receiver room that is still quite young, minus Courtland Sutton, of course.

The problem is that “if” is a massive one for Kirk. There’s no doubt when he’s on, like those two seasons show, he’s really good. You just don’t know if that’s what you’re going to get if you sign him.

Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign receiver Christian Kirk​

Denver just doesn’t know what it’s going to get if it signs Kirk. Will it get the Kirk of those two seasons with the Cardinals and Jaguars? Or will the Broncos get the Kirk from the last two seasons he played with the Jaguars and Houston Texans?

That uncertainty alone is enough for Denver to pass.

Add in the question of fit, and this type of move just doesn’t make sense for the Broncos. Yes, a veteran receiver could benefit the room, but he would take reps away from Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, and Pat Bryant. He also doesn’t move the needle that much over what Denver currently has.

Final thoughts​

Whether Kirk stays with the Houston Texans or hits free agency, it’s unlikely the Broncos will take a serious look at the receiver.

The fit isn’t really there, plus the lack of certainty and guarantee on what you’re actually going to get leaves enough doubt to know this isn’t the move. And that’s before you consider the price tag.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...fl-free-agent-profile-receiver-christian-kirk

 

[Denver Broncos]

NFL Free Agent Profile: TE Cade Otton

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 05: Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Denver Broncos don’t have many significant needs to address in free agency. Overall, the state of their roster is quite strong. Though there are a few positions that certainly need some fresh faces and outside talent added into the mix. One of them is the tight end group. For quite a few years now, the Broncos have struggled to find a true difference maker at the position.

Last offseason, they signed veteran Evan Engram to a lucrative two-year contract. Unfortunately, his on the field production never matched the hype of the ‘joker’ label many attributed to him. Engram and last year’s seventh-round draft selection Caleb Lohner are currently the only two tight ends under contract for next season.

Veteran Adam Trautman, who has played a lot of football for Head Coach Sean Payton, is a free agent and Nate Adkins is a restricted free agent. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Adkins come back to Denver, though I believe the Broncos are poised to find an upgrade at the Y spot. My favorite fit for Denver in free agency is Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton. Let’s discuss why I feel he would be a great addition to the squad.

Cade Otton in the last 2 weeks:
10 targets 8/100/0
10 targets 9/81/2

What happens tonight? pic.twitter.com/x03ebvMBUV

— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) November 4, 2024

Player Profile​

Tight End | Cade Otton | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 247 pounds

Age: 26 years old

Experience: 4 NFL seasons

2025 stats: 16 games played with 16 starts. 59 receptions on 81 targets for 572 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. 25 first down catches with 73-percent catch-rate.

Should the Broncos sign tight end Cade Otton?​

A little while back, I mentioned Cade Otton as one of three players that I’d love to see the Broncos pursue in free agency. Quite simply, the Broncos need a Y tight end who is capable of seeing a lot of playing time and can help kickstart Denver’s rushing attack in heavier personnel settings. There are a lot of talented tight ends in free agency, but I’d argue Otton’s skill set is what Denver could use the most moving forward.

In four years with the Buccaneers, Otton has appeared in 63 games with 58 starts. On 300 career targets, he notched 207 catches for 2,018 yards and 11 touchdowns. A concern with Otton has been drops with 17 across four seasons. However, last year he improved significantly in that regard and only had one on 81 targets.

Don’t expect Otton to put up big numbers as a receiver, but his production over his four-year career has been more than adequate. He has tallied several 100-yard games in his career. By all accounts, he has answered the call when implemented as a big part of Tampa Bay’s aerial attack.

Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2022, the former Washington Huskies standout has played in 3,716 of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps. He has averaged over 92-percent of their offensive snaps for the past three years. That’s hefty playing time and experience. Otton is also quality blocker and would prove to be an upgrade over Trautman in that department.

Cade Otton is one of the signings I want Denver to make the most. If Sean Payton truly wants to run more 12 in 2026, they have to add a guy like Cade Otton into the mix. He would be a great player to have on the Broncos. https://t.co/RTJCY7hmmJ

— Christopher Hart (@topherhart) February 13, 2026

Why the Broncos will not sign Cade Otton in free agency.​

Otton may not be a household name, but teams in the market for an inline tight end that can be a safety valve in the passing game and improve their run blocking will certainly be in on him. Quite frankly, I don’t feel that there will be a shortage of suitors for his talent. There is a good chance he could command over $9 to $10 million on his next contract. That’s a fairly large price to pay, but keep in mind Denver has virtually no long-term investment at the position beyond this season.

Final Thoughts​

It’s no secret that I’m high on Otton. As mentioned above, some may balk at that AAV, but he is a quality player that would make the offense better in a few ways. They need a guy who can get open and be a chain mover in the passing game, and there is no doubt they need a guy who can be an asset as a blocker establishing the run. While there may be more talented players with dynamic receiving ability (think Kyle Pitts), I think Otton is the type of player Denver needs to add to the position group.

What do you think, Broncos Country? Would you be in favor of the Broncos adding Cade Otton during free agency? Or would you prefer them to find a different player at the position. Sound off in the comments section and let me know.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/denv...y/172362/nfl-free-agent-profile-te-cade-otton