NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: If Sean Payton waits to find his “joker,” here are three Day 2 possibilities

The Denver Broncos’ search for a “joker” seems likely to be a defining aspect of their offseason quest to build up the supporting cast around quarterback Bo Nix. It’s a “must-have” for Sean Payton.

And for all of the items he was able to cross off his rebuilding checklist, the attempts to find a “joker” proved fruitless — at least of the type he had in New Orleans, with contributors such as Reggie Bush, Jimmy Graham, Alvin Kamara, Jeremy Shockey and Darren Sproles filling the role over the years.

Most mock drafts recently have zeroed in on the Broncos using their Round 1 pick who could potentially fill this void. That included the mock posted by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who tapped the Broncos to select Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 20th overall selection

But what if they waited to fill the “joker” role?

JAYDON BLUE, TEXAS

The Texas running back had almost as many receiving touchdowns — 6 — as scores on the ground, with 7. He capped his Longhorns career with a pair of scoring grabs in the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Ohio State. At 6 feet and 200 pounds, he has enough on his frame to be more than just a sub-package receiving threat.

And as Jeremiah points out, there is Blue’s raw speed.

“Like, he’s a legit 4.3 guy,” Jeremiah said. “And they use him on a bunch of different ways in the pass game. You know, angle routes. He can snap guys off, he can run up the seam. Even just getting him the ball in the flat with his speed, he’s just — he’s a weapon.”

Further, Jeremiah believes the Broncos could probably select Blue as a “joker” option with the No. 85 overall pick.

“I don’t think you’d have to take him in the second,” Jeremiah said. “I think you could get him in the third round.”

RJ HARVEY, CENTRAL FLORIDA

Quick and stout, Harvey has more bulk on a shorter frame, which lends itself to more between-the-tackles capability as an every-down option than Harvey possesses. He surpassed 1,600 yards from scrimmage in 2023 and finished 2024 with 1,844 yards from scrimmage, including 267 on 20 receptions. Harvey was a constant home-run threat for the Knights.

“When I watched him, I was like, ‘OK, who does he remind me of?’ This guy’s like a mix of Devonta Freeman and Tarik Cohen. Like, he’s — he’s that type of just fast, low to the ground, shifty, is just going to be a nightmare,” Jeremiah explained.

“And they use him on wheel routes. They give him the ball in the pass game, as well.”

HAROLD FANNIN JR., BOWLING GREEN

An incredibly prolific player at Bowling Green, Fannin had an up-and-down performance during Senior Bowl week, but his performance against Penn State and Texas A&M last season opened yes.

“[Fannin] is a little bit undersized, just over 6-3. He’s just under 240 pounds, but he’s just got a real knack for it, a real feel for it, creating separation,” Jeremiah said.

“He kind of reminds me — it’s sacrilegious to say it because he’s now going into the Hall of Fame, but he’s like a mini-Antonio Gates, just with his movements, just how he kind of moves around. It’s kind of a unique movement style that he has, but you’re questioning, like, ‘How fast is this guy?’

“And then you watch Penn State and you watch Texas A&M and he’s just kind of running away from everybody and creating a bunch of big plays.”

The Gates comparison is a bold one, no doubt. And his work at the Senior Bowl shows that he’s more raw than, for example, potential first-rounder Colston Loveland. Thus, Fannin might need more time to develop.

But the rewards as a potential “joker” could be profound.

“I think you’d have to take him in the second round,” Jeremiah said. “I don’t think he would be there in the third round, but he’s definitely a fun mismatch guy.”