Phillip Dorsett is returning to Denver. After spending the majority of the 2023 campaign on the Broncos practice squad, the veteran wide receiver is re-signing with the team, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver.
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The former first-round pick earned bust status during his time with the Colts, but he’s still managed to hang around the NFL for almost a decade. His best season came back in 2016 when he topped 500 receiving yards in Indy. He also didn’t look helpless during his three-year run in New England, including a 2019 season where he finished with 397 receiving yards and five touchdowns (he also had a pair of touchdowns during the Patriots’ 2018 Super Bowl run).
Since hitting free agency in 2020, the receiver has bounced around the NFL, spending time with the Seahawks (two stints), Jaguars, Texans, Raiders, and Broncos. He got into 15 games with Houston as recently as 2022, although he only got into a pair of contesets for Denver last season.
Of course, the team’s receiver depth will look different in 2024. Jerry Jeudy has already been shipped out, and Courtland Sutton is away from the team as he seeks a new deal (although the receiver has not requested a trade). The team did bring in free agent Josh Reynolds and selected Troy Franklin in the fourth round, adding the duo to a group of holdovers that also includes Marvin Mims Jr. and Tim Patrick. Dorsett will likely be competing for one of the final spots on the depth chart, although there’s a chance he goes back to his familiar practice squad role.
The Broncos have also signed undrafted cornerback Quinton Newsome and waived undrafted receiver Lincoln Victor and undrafted punter Nik Constantinou. Newsome emerged as one of Nebraska’s best defenders over the past few years. The defensive back finished his college career with 147 tackles, 17 passes defended, and one interception. He also was a standout special teams player, perhaps hinting at his potential role in Denver.
People have been clamoring for Jeudy and Sutton to be traded for years, but it doesn’t look like that has done anything to upgrade the Broncos’ receiving corps. I don’t know what Dorsett or Reynolds really bring to the table for a team that just drafted a new quarterback, especially if Sutton’s roster status gets shakier.