ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- As the Denver Broncos moved through their first set of offseason on-field practices this week, the biggest roster change since their loss in the AFC Championship Game was on full display.
The Broncos are months away from a game that matters, but wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's work at OTA practices gave an early glimpse at the speed and explosiveness the team wanted, and needed, on offense.
"Everything he is expected to be," said safety Talanoa Hufanga. "... His ability to make every route look the same is pretty important. As a defender when you can make a 10-yard stop look like a go [route], 10-yard dig look like a go, a 10-yard out route, everything looks the same, it puts pressure on your back pedal."
In many ways, Waddle wasn't just the most notable addition to a team that finished 14-3 last season only to have its Super Bowl dreams dashed at home by the New England Patriots. He was the addition.
The Broncos were the undisputed kings of roster retention this offseason, as they re-signed 17 of their own 21 players who were scheduled to be unrestricted, restricted or exclusive rights free agents. Six days into the free agency period, they finally joined the leaguewide action but opted to go the trade route with Waddle.