Lil Jordan Humphrey has quietly become one of the most intriguing wide receiver stories of the 2025 NFL season. From being signed mid-season to making key plays for the Denver Broncos, his journey has reflected resilience, preparation, and timely contributions. This comprehensive article breaks down his latest performance, role within the Broncos’ offense, season progress, and outlook as the team positions itself for a playoff push.
Table of Contents
Mid-Season Return to the Broncos
Humphrey’s 2025 season began outside Denver, but his path back to the Broncos marked a turning point in his campaign. After signing with the New York Giants in the offseason and spending several weeks on their practice squad, the Broncos brought him back to their active roster in mid-November 2025. The move reunited him with head coach Sean Payton, who already knew his skill set from previous seasons in Denver. The decision to re-sign Humphrey was influenced both by the team’s need for receiver depth and his familiarity with the offensive system.
Upon returning, he practiced with the team and was active immediately, playing against the Kansas City Chiefs soon after his arrival. His early action underscored the trust the coaching staff placed in him to step into live games without an extended adjustment period.
2025 Performance, Usage & Highlights
As of Week 15, Humphrey’s production for the 2025 season shows a steady contribution within the Broncos’ balanced passing game. His stat line includes:
- Receptions: 11
- Receiving Yards: 133
- Receiving Touchdowns: 1
- Average Yards per Reception: 12.1
These figures reflect action both before and after his return to Denver, but the most impactful moments have come with the Broncos. In Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers, Humphrey delivered his first touchdown of the season, a 5-yard scoring reception that helped swing momentum and contributed to Denver’s victory. In that same game, he also hauled in a 22-yard pass, showcasing his ability to make intermediate plays and find open space after the catch.
Humphrey’s performance against Green Bay highlighted several strengths that have defined his role this season:
- Reliable hands in clutch situations
- Ability to stretch the field on intermediate routes
- Effectiveness in red-zone opportunities
His touchdown was a key moment in a game where the Broncos pulled out a hard-fought win, underscoring the value of even modest production in critical matchups.
Role in the Broncos’ Offense
Humphrey’s role in the Broncos’ offense has been best described as situational but impactful. He is not Denver’s primary receiver, but his usage grows when certain matchups and game plans call for his strengths. Within the offensive rotation, he often operates:
- On intermediate routes designed to exploit soft spots in zone coverage
- In red-zone packages that emphasize size and catch radius
- As a possession receiver who can secure key third-down conversions
Quarterback Bo Nix has spread targets among several receivers, meaning no single perimeter option dominates targets each week. Despite this distribution, Humphrey has carved out a niche in which his reliability and physical style contribute positively when the ball comes his way.
One of his most notable performances came when he secured a 22-yard strike on a play where Nix avoided pressure and delivered under duress, exemplifying his readiness and chemistry with the quarterback.
Snap Counts & Team Context
While some receivers see consistent snap shares, Humphrey’s playing time has varied week to week based on matchups and injury considerations across the Broncos’ wide receiver corps. His snap count tends to increase when:
- A primary receiver is sidelined
- The offensive game plan emphasizes quick, high-percentage throws
- Situational packages (such as short yardage or red zone) are featured
Coaches appreciate his frame and ability to block effectively in the run game when necessary, giving him value beyond just pass catching. This versatility often keeps him on the field during critical moments.
Though his usage has not always translated into high volume, his presence is felt through dependable route running and situational production.
2025 Game-by-Game Snap Trends
Throughout the season, Humphrey’s role has seen tangible fluctuations:
- In some games, he logged significant offensive snaps and earned multiple targets.
- In others, his role was more limited, reflecting the ebb and flow of a deep receiver rotation and game scripts that favored other options.
His snap share saw a notable rise in certain contests when injuries or game plans increased his involvement. These trends paint a picture of a player who can respond when called upon, even if he isn’t the focal point of the offense.
Career and NFL Journey
Lil Jordan Humphrey entered the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Texas, where he stood out with consistent production and strong physical traits. His ability to persevere and adapt has allowed him to play for multiple teams, gaining experience and refining his craft along the way.
Prior to his current stint with the Broncos in 2025, he played for:
- New Orleans Saints
- New England Patriots
- Denver Broncos (earlier stint)
- New York Giants
His career totals include more than 40 receptions and significant yardage over several seasons. While he has never been a statistical leader at his position, his presence on multiple rosters reflects the value teams see in his skill set.
Humphrey’s first stint in Denver saw him make meaningful contributions in 2023 and 2024, including career highs in receptions and yards. Those performances helped solidify his reputation as a dependable depth receiver capable of stepping into larger roles when opportunities arise.
Advanced Metrics and Profile
Analyses of Humphrey’s athletic profile illustrate a wide receiver with solid size, above-average catch radius, and the capacity to create separation on intermediate routes. His statistical profile shows:
- A healthy yards-per-reception mark
- A role that fits multiple offensive philosophies
- A body type conducive to contested catches and short-to-medium gains
While he rarely posts explosive metrics like top-tier deep threats, his consistent contribution in expected areas reflects a balanced skill set valued by coaching staffs.
Fit Within Offensive Philosophy
Under Sean Payton’s leadership, the Broncos have maintained an offensive philosophy emphasizing quick reads, calculated route concepts, and distributing the ball among several options. This environment suits a player like Humphrey, whose strengths align with short-to-intermediate efficiency.
In a system that rewards precision and versatility, Humphrey provides a dependable layer of support. His presence allows the offense to stay diversified, complicating defensive assignments and offering Bo Nix an additional reliable target on key downs.
Comparison to Other Broncos Receivers
In the 2025 Broncos wide receiver room, Humphrey stands out for his combination of size and experience, even though he trails some younger teammates in raw production. Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, and other emerging targets may garner more attention and volume, but Humphrey’s role remains valuable because:
- He can stretch the field when needed
- His length presents matchup problems against certain defensive backs
- He contributes consistently when called upon
This balance of attributes helps Denver’s offense remain adaptable and prepared for a range of defensive schemes.
Fantasy Football & Analytics Outlook
From a fantasy football standpoint, Humphrey’s role has been inconsistent, meaning he is better suited as a deep-league or spot starter, rather than a weekly fantasy asset. His usage varies greatly depending on opponent and personnel available.
Fantasy analysts often note that high snap share does not always translate to high targets in Denver’s offense, where the ball is spread across multiple receivers. Consequently, Humphrey’s fantasy appeal is limited, but he can surface in specific game contexts where injuries or matchups favor increased usage.
Advanced analytics reflect his situational importance rather than high volume, making him a player to monitor for depth rather than as a cornerstone receiver.
Recent Game Insights
In addition to his touchdown and 22-yard reception against the Packers, Humphrey has delivered other key plays throughout the 2025 season:
- Several intermediate gains on early downs that sustained drives
- Reliable blocks that supported the Broncos’ balanced attack
- Situational presence on third-down conversions
Though not always dramatic, these contributions add up over time and showcase the nuances of his value to the team.
Leadership and Locker Room Presence
Beyond statistics, Humphrey has earned respect within the Broncos’ locker room for his professionalism and readiness. Coaches often emphasize the importance of preparation, and Humphrey’s ability to step into different roles smoothly speaks to his approach off the field.
Veteran presence in a young receiving corps can also be invaluable, particularly during the grind of a long NFL season. His experience across multiple teams gives him perspective that can benefit teammates navigating various challenges.
2025 Season Outlook
As Denver pushes toward the postseason, Humphrey’s role may continue to vary. If injuries thrust him into a larger role, his experience and reliability could become even more important. On the other hand, a healthy receiving corps and evolving offensive priorities might keep his usage more situational.
Either way, his place within the Broncos’ depth chart reflects trust and preparedness, and he will likely remain a contributor as long as the team values his particular combination of skills.
Community and Fan Reaction
Fans have responded positively to Humphrey’s contributions, particularly his Week 15 touchdown. His journey — moving from practice squads to key game moments — resonates with many football enthusiasts who appreciate perseverance and opportunity seizing in the NFL.
Social media buzz around his name typically spikes after games where he’s involved in scoring or impactful plays, reflecting the excitement fans feel when role players step up in meaningful situations.
Now that you’ve read the full breakdown of Lil Jordan Humphrey’s 2025 season and impact with the Denver Broncos, we want to hear from you — share your thoughts on his role and how you see him contributing moving forward!