The Denver Broncos were a game away from the Super Bowl.
That’s now in the past, and the goal is to make this team even better. One way George Paton and Sean Payton may do that is through playmakers on offense, specifically at wide receiver.
Quarterback Bo Nix would benefit greatly from consistent playmakers who are threats to score every time they touch the ball.
One possible target when NFL free agency starts in March is Rashid Shaheed.
The fourth-year wideout is about to hit the open market after being traded to the Seattle Seahawks from the New Orleans Saints. Shaheed helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl with his playmaking ability on offense and special teams.
Could he bring that to Denver?
Player Profile
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 pounds
Experience: 4 NFL seasons
Age: 27
2025 stats (combined): 59 receptions, 687 yards, 2 touchdown catches. He also had 9 carries for 69 yards rushing.
Why the Broncos should sign receiver Rashid Shaheed
Shaheed is one of those players when he touches the ball, you sit forward in your chair. He has the ability to take the ball to the endzone every time he has the ball in his hands. What makes him even more dangerous is that Shaheed can do it as a receiver, runner, or returner.
That kind of game-changing ability is something the Broncos need in a major way. And they need it consistently.
The question becomes, is Shahaeed that player? And is he the No. 1 receiver Denver needs? Or is he just another piece? Those are answers for Paton and Payton.
With more opportunities, Shaheed could turn into a consistent playmaker for the Broncos.
Keep in mind that, prior to being traded to the Seahawks, Shaheed was in New Orleans, which hasn’t had a quarterback or a successful season since Drew Brees retired and Payton stepped away. So when you look at Shaheed’s stats, that’s a huge caveat.
Shaheed had flashes with Seattle on the run to the franchise’s second Super Bowl win. That could be enough to whet the appetite for the Broncos and teams looking for playmakers.
The chance to come to Denver and play with Nix in Payton’s offense could appeal to Shaheed.
In an offseason bereft of receiver talent, if Paton and Payton decide to go after Shaheed, they’ll have competition. And they’ll have it from rivals in the AFC West.
Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign receiver Rashid Shaheed
As noted earlier, is Shaheed truly a No. 1 receiver that changes the Broncos receiver room? Or is he Marvin Mims?
I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to having two returners on the field together who could make kicking to Denver an utter nightmare. But that’s more of a luxury than a need. Shaheed and Mims are very similar in what they do and what they bring to the offense.
The other factor is that the Broncos will have competition to sign him, and that’s if he hits the open market. Seattle may want to bring him back to pair with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Since Smith-Njigba is a true No. 1, that makes complete sense.
If Shaheed does hit free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders will likely come calling. For the fact that they need playmakers and that their new head coach, Klint Kubiak, was his offensive coordinator with the Seahawks. Kubiak got first-hand experience of what Shaheed brings to his offense and how he could use him with likely first-overall pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
And since it’s the Raiders, they’ll overpay.
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are two other teams that could look into Shaheed.
Final thoughts
The Broncos need playmakers on offense. They need consistent playmakers.
And while Shaheed brings the ability to make every play into a big one, he’s too similar to Mims. Payton already struggles to keep Mims consistently involved in the offense. You add Shaheed to the mix, and that gets even more difficult.
Plus, both are exceptional returners, so if you bring in Shaheed, that likely means the end for Mims in Denver. Is that something Paton and Payton will do?
If Shaheed doesn’t stay with the Seahawks, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t end up in Las Vegas.
As for the Broncos and receivers, adding a guy like Alec Pierce makes more sense, or even trading for a true No. 1.