Broncos finally make a huge move, land Jaylen Waddle in trade with Miami

That boring offseason for the Denver Broncos is officially a thing of the past.

According to multiple reports on Tuesday morning, Denver is landing stud Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a huge trade with the Dolphins.

The Broncos will have to part ways with this year’s first-round draft pick (No. 30 overall) and other compensation, but Waddle instantly improves the offense.

Broncos are trading for Miami WR Jaylen Waddle, per source.

Denver receives: Waddle and Dolphins’ 4th-round pick (11th in round) in this year’s draft.

Miami receives: Broncos’ 1st round pick (30th overall) along with their late 3rd and 4th round picks (30th in each round) in…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2026

Denver head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton were reportedly close to landing Waddle at the trade deadline last year, but now he’ll officially wear orange and blue.

Waddle has spent the first five seasons of his career with the Dolphins, catching 373 passes for more than 5,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. In 2025 he had 64 catches for 910 yards and six touchdowns.

The 27-year-old played his college football at the University of Alabama and was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He and Tyreek Hill formed one of the scariest duos in the league for a time in Miami, but now Hill has been released and Waddle traded to Denver.

It gives QB Bo Nix a huge additional weapon on offense to go along with the likes of Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr., Pat Bryant, Evan Engram and others.

Payton and Paton may not have signed an outside free agent this offseason, but Waddle is a massive addition. Essentially, it cost a first-round and third-round selection, but Broncos Country will love the move.

According to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, Waddle is guaranteed $17 million in 2026, and $15.2 million in 2027, with another $8.2 million set to vest next March. Essentially, the Broncos are inheriting a two-year contract worth a little more than $41 million.

For a team that was on the verge of the Super Bowl last season, Waddle might be the missing piece that gets Denver over the top.

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