DENVER -- The Denver Broncos had a couple things atop their to-do list entering this past offseason. They wanted more impact at wide receiver and more production behind running back J.K. Dobbins. And the players they brought into fill both those needs -- veteran wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and rookie running back Jonah Coleman -- were integral in helping the Broncos (1-1) to their first win of the 2026 season.
"I'm proud of those guys," Broncos All-Pro left tackle Garett Bolles said. "That's why they're here, to do what they do."
In Denver's 20-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Waddle finished with eight catches for 138 receiving yards, including a 49-yard catch in the second quarter and a key 29-yard reception on the Broncos' final, seal-the-win possession. And they asked Coleman to carry the running game when it was time to close out the Jaguars (1-1).
Waddle had the most receiving yards by a Bronco in a single game since Jerry Jeudy had 154 in the 2022 season finale. It was also the most receiving yards by a Broncos player in his home debut since Rick Upchurch had 153 in 1975.
"Significant, right?" Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Waddle's impact, for which the sixth-year receiver earned the game ball. "You can see the explosiveness, run after the catch. Glad he's ours."
Waddle's explosion came after a quiet Week 1 debut in which he had only one reception for 2 yards in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on "Monday Night Football." Sunday was exactly what the Broncos envisioned when they sent three draft picks, including a first-rounder, to the Miami Dolphins this past March to acquire the 27-year-old.
Payton said Sunday that Waddle's impact goes beyond stats because his explosiveness forces defenses to make decisions about when and where to bring more defenders to help on the receiver. The Broncos' only touchdown in their season-opening loss in Kansas City came when multiple defensive backs bracketed Waddle, leaving tight end Evan Engram open for a receiving score. The Broncos were able to isolate Waddle in several 1-on-1 match-ups Sunday, including the 49-yarder.
"They're a zone coverage team by nature, [but] we caught them in some man looks," Payton said. "... [Waddle] had one of those breakout games, it was great to see. He's kind of infectious, he doesn't have bad days, he likes football, he's a real good teammate. We needed it."
The Broncos also needed a spark in the running game on Sunday after Dobbins left in the third quarter with a left hamstring injury. Second-year running back RJ Harvey was already unavailable, also due to a hamstring injury. The Broncos struggled in the run game last season after Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 10, which caused Payton to search for a reserve running back with similar traits to Dobbins.
The Broncos selected Coleman in the fourth round in April, making the instant comparison to Dobbins after the pick. The rookie became the primary ball carrier in the second half Sunday, finishing with 10 carries for 39 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Broncos the lead with 7:21 left. It was Denver's first rushing touchdown of the season.
"J.K. always preach to me, be ready for your opportunity, be ready for your moment, you never know when your number is going to be called," Coleman said. "... It felt good to be able to do that."
Coleman's work on the Broncos' final possession was the most important takeaway. In a situation where Payton covets reliability and ball security above all else, Coleman had six carries for 33 yards, including a 12-yard run on a second-and-11 that got Denver to the Jacksonville 18-yard line. He showed veteran awareness on that run, going down in-bounds once he had the first down, allowing the Broncos to kneel out the clock. Thanks in large part to Coleman's efforts, the Broncos were able to kill the last 4:41 of the game.
"Very proud of him, we haven't necessarily been great in the four-minute offense in the past," Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. "That was an opportunity to go showcase what we want to be as an offense. I think he handled that situation perfectly, the best you possibly can."
That drive capped a win against the only team that beat the Broncos at home in the regular season last year. And on a Denver team that was brought back mostly intact, two new guys made the difference.
"It's awesome to watch young dudes make plays and we get the win," Bolles said. "... There's no better formation than the victory formation."
