Who Should I Start? Jaylen Waddle or Rashee Rice

Thursday, June 4, 11:25 AM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said there is a "crystal clear" vision for the role of new wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who can play all over, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Waddle had 1,000-yard seasons in his first three years in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins before falling back down to Earth a bit alongside a struggling Miami offense the last two seasons. The 27-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2021 out of the University of Alabama had a 64-910-6 line in 16 starts in 2025, though, and his fantasy stock is back on the rise after the Broncos gave up a first-round pick for him this offseason. Denver has plenty of options at the position in Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., and Troy Franklin, but because of his ability to play all over the field with a bright offensive mind in Payton designing plays for him, Waddle could easily lead the Broncos in targets and catches in his first year in the Mile High City in 2026. Fantasy managers will want to target the sixth-year receiver as a low-end WR2 with upside this fall as he finally gets out of the shadow of Tyreek Hill.