As the NFL season approaches its halfway mark, both the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders are eyeing a potential boost to their wide receiver corps by bringing in Treylon Burks for a visit. The former Tennessee Titans first-round pick recently hit waivers and successfully cleared them following injury setbacks.
Burks, who was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, experienced a challenging start to his professional career, marred by injuries that included a torn ACL and a broken collarbone. In his short tenure, he has recorded 53 receptions for 699 yards and just one touchdown across 27 games, failing to play more than 11 games in a season due to injuries. However, at just 25 years old, some analysts suggest that a change of scenery could reignite his potential.
The Broncos have struggled offensively this year, currently ranking 16th in the league with an average of 206.8 passing yards per game. Courtland Sutton stands out as the only wide receiver averaging over 42 yards per game, highlighting a need for additional talent to enhance the passing attack. Despite an ugly win over the New York Jets, quarterback Bo Nix’s performance was concerning, with only four completions for 49 yards in the second half and a passer rating that ranks 24th in the league.
On the other hand, the Commanders find themselves in a similarly precarious position. Their receiving lineup is hindered by injuries, with star Terry McLaurin missing the past three games due to a quad issue and Noah Brown sidelined for much of the season with groin and knee injuries. Deebo Samuel played through a heel injury during a recent loss against the Chicago Bears, adding to their troubles. In their Week 6 matchup, Chris Moore and rookie Jaylin Lane stepped up as key targets for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Burks was a standout player at Arkansas, earning First Team All-SEC honors in 2021 after impressive production that included 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in just a dozen games. His collegiate success offers a glimmer of hope for either team, should they secure his services. Both the Broncos and Commanders could greatly benefit from adding a player who has shown flashes of brilliance, despite his rocky start in the NFL.