The Denver Broncos added a depth piece at wide receiver yesterday, signing receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and rescuing him from the practice squad of the New York Giants. The Broncos also added Humphrey to the active roster, according to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, which means he could play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s divisional showdown. 

This feels a little like a deadline deal that didn’t quite get done. Coach Sean Payton has insisted he’s happy with his group of young wide receivers, but anyone who’s watched the Denver offense for the last few weeks knows that quarterback Bo Nix could use more options, and Humphrey represents a big body to join receiver Courtland Sutton in that category. 

Humphrey also knows Payton’s offense. He played for the Broncos for the last two seasons, so this represents a reunion of sorts. Humphrey is considered a plus blocker, which is something Payton values given the importance of the run game for Denver. 

The receiver hasn’t done much in the catch department, which is why he’s a depth piece. He had four catches for 55 yards for the Giants, and he could represent an occasional target for Nix. His best year came last season for the Broncos, when he had 31 receptions for 293 yards and a touchdown. 

This could end up being a savvy move if Humphrey flashes occasionally going forward. He definitely wasn’t worth a draft pick given his numbers in New York, and Humphrey also represents an insurance policy down the stretch. 

Nix managed to form a connection with Humphrey last year, so that’s a plus as well, especially since there’s been some route-running issues with the receivers in the last few weeks. Multiple receivers have turned up in the same area in any number of Nix throws, so that’s undoubtedly one of the problems Payton will be looking to clean up going into this week’s division showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Most of the emphasis has been on fixing Bo Nix, but penalties are probably just as much a part of this pickup. Holding calls on both sides of the ball have become a staple for the Broncos on both sides of the ball, and in theory Humphrey’s size could help spring running backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey against the Chiefs on Sunday. 

Denver has a lot of questions to answer going into this one, with the Chiefs representing a possible fork in the road for the Broncos’ season.