The Denver Broncos are finally on the board. They traded for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Broncos fans have been clamoring for a big-time move after reaching the AFC Championship this past season, and they have finally gotten it.
The Dolphins are sending a fourth-round pick and getting back a massive package of a 2026 first-round pick, a third-round pick, and a fourth-round pick for Waddle’s services. Waddle profiles as more of a high-end number two wide receiver with the ability to potentially become a number one option.
Former Denver cornerback Aqib Talib recently said that they would add a new explosive player on offense, and he was correct, as Waddle is now with them. Quarterback Bo Nix is finally getting some much-needed help with this addition.
The Broncos’ wide receiver room now consists of Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. I would assume that Waddle becomes the number one weapon on Denver’s team based on his sheer talent. Sutton had legit drop problems this past season, with eight, and was 67th in Yards After Catch Per Reception at only 2.7, according to Pro Football Focus.
Waddle gives the Broncos an elite vertical threat, an upgrade in that aspect from Mims Jr. At 27 years old, he was still 19th in the league in Average Depth of Target at 13.2.
Waddle played 16 games this past season in which he caught 64 passes, had 910 receiving yards, six touchdowns, and 14.2 yards per catch as well. A duo with him and Sutton should be really fun to watch for Denver fans. Nix should be incredibly elated to add such game-breaking speed with immense talent.
Let’s see if Waddle has what it takes to be a number-one wide receiver for his team after playing behind Tyreek Hill for a couple of seasons. In terms of his contract, he’s currently in the midst of a 3-year, $84 million deal paying him $28.25 million annually and a potential out in 2028, according to Spotrac. That currently puts him as the 12th-highest paid wide receiver in the league, according to Spotrac.
This trade also reunites Waddle with his former Alabama teammate, Patrick Surtain II, who’s coming off a DPOY in 2024 and is heralded as the best cornerback in the NFL. It is great for him to be on a team with someone with whom he already has chemistry.
The Dolphins are tearing everything down, it seems, even after signing quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year contract. The wide receiver room leaves a lot to be desired, but at least they still have De’Von Achane and eleven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. You can now expect Miami to spend those picks accordingly on a multitude of positions like wide receiver, tight end, and close to everything defensively.
This is exactly why General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was hired. Miami wants to get out of this hole, and they had to disband their roster to eventually work themselves back up in the future. This is going to be a multiple-year rebuild. It’ll be grueling at times, but this is how it has to be done after releasing players like Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Bradley Chubb.
It’s time to start over for the Dolphins, get another top pick next season, and see how good the duo of Willis and Achane can be together. They’ll be able to steal some games for sure, especially if they can upgrade defensively, but this seems like a gap year for them.
Miami having two first-round picks this season, on top of their second-round pick and four third-round picks, is absolutely absurd. It’s also the perfect amount they need to be able to rehaul this roster.
Center Aaron Brewer turned heads this past season. The Dolphins are hoping to see more of the rookie version of Chop Robinson. Kenneth Grant is entering his second season, and Malik Washington is underrated. Zach Sieler could always bounce back. There are a couple of things for Miami fans to look forward to on top of their massive haul of first-round picks.
The Dolphins have one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the league, currently on top of $165 million in dead money for this upcoming season, according to Ari Meirov.
This is a good trade for both sides as Denver is getting a wide receiver upgrade with Waddle, pairing him alongside Sutton. The Broncos get a win-now player back for picks that are pretty premium.
While the Dolphins continue tearing everything down and get a really good package back for him, including a first, third, and fourth-round pick, while also sending back a fourth.
Miami declined trading Waddle in-division to the Buffalo Bills at last season’s trade deadline for a first-round pick. Instead, they traded him to the AFC West division for an even bigger package.
Now it’s time to see how many picks the new Miami regime can hit on.
Waddle goes for this package, and DJ Moore went to Buffalo with a fifth-round pick for a second-round pick. So this begs the question, what does AJ Brown net back if he were to get traded from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason?
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