Dolphins trading WR Jaylen Waddle to Broncos for draft picks, including 2026 first-rounder
Paton did so Tuesday, acquiring a receiver he’s had his eye on for some time and adding him to a receiving corps that includes two-time Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton, but also lacks proven running mates. Nix’s old running mate at Oregon, 2024 fourth-round pick Troy Franklin, finished second in receiving for a Broncos offense that finished 11th in passing yards per game but carried greater potential if better equipped at receiver.
An offensive expert with decades of experience directing aerial attacks, Payton likely knew this to be true and should be ecstatic to add Waddle to his offense.
Selected sixth overall in the 2021 draft, Waddle has been a high-volume producer throughout most of his five-year career in Miami, catching 373 passes for 5,039 yards and 26 touchdowns over 78 career regular-season games. Following Waddle’s standout rookie season, the Dolphins made a similarly aggressive move in 2022, acquiring Tyreek Hill in an effort to form an exceptionally explosive offense in South Florida.
It worked initially, helping the Dolphins finish with the NFL’s best offense in offensive yards per game, score the second-most points in the league and win 11 games in 2023. Subsequent inconsistencies at quarterback doomed the Dolphins in the following seasons, though, and with a change in leadership came a concentrated effort on an accelerated rebuild that has seen Sullivan part with nearly every notable name in the interest of accruing forward-facing capital.
One of the last remaining offensive vestiges from the Mike McDaniel era, Waddle was seen as a cornerstone piece of the Dolphins’ roster under their former coach. With Miami heading in a different direction, now was the time to capitalize on Waddle’s remaining value — which includes a contract that keeps him under team control at a competitive rate through 2028 — by sending him to a contender willing to spend.
Denver, meanwhile, will hope Waddle becomes the Broncos’ latest star and dazzle the Mile High City in 2026 and beyond.
