The Denver Broncos had been one sport — and maybe a Bo Nix ankle damage — away from Tremendous Bowl LX.
However after a quiet begin in free company, the Broncos are making a giant transfer to attempt to safe a spot in Tremendous Bowl LXI.
In response to a number of experiences, the Broncos are buying Miami Dolphins large receiver Jaylen Waddle in a commerce. Listed here are the phrases of the deal, as set forth by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter:
Different insiders, notably Tom Pelissero of the NFL Community, are reporting that the 2 sides first talked a couple of potential deal for Waddle eventually season’s commerce deadline, however couldn’t come to phrases on a framework. However now, as free company begins to wind down, the 2 sides have made a deal.
So let’s hand out some grades.
On the outset, let’s speak about Waddle for a second.
Since coming into the league, the speedy large receiver has been a giant play ready to occur for the Dolphins. He gained greater than 1,000 yards in every of his first three seasons, whereas averaging a whopping 18.1 yards per reception through the 2022 season. Nevertheless, his manufacturing dipped in each 2024 and 2025, because the Dolphins started to wrestle and the quarterback scenario grew to become extra unsettled in Miami.
However at the same time as that quarterback scenario grew to become unsettled in Miami, Waddle averaged 14.2 yards per reception final season, second solely to what he posted throughout 2022.
Whereas Waddle is a risk within the vertical passing sport, a lot of his explosive performs final season got here on in-breaking routes, the place he can use his velocity in the midst of the sector to run away from defenders each on the route, and after the catch.
Performs like this one in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons final season:
Now the compensation given up for Waddle is steep, however a part of placing a grade on a transfer like that is the method. The fantastic thing about this time of 12 months is that we actually find out how a company feels about the place they’re.
Denver was fairly quiet this offseason, largely re-signing their very own gamers, and have now paid a considerably steep worth for a receiver regardless of being able (with the thirtieth decide within the draft) the place they may add a receiver on a rookie contract.
As an alternative, they’ve paid that worth for Waddle who, given his skillset, might be an ideal match for each Bo Nix in addition to the Sean Payton/Davis Webb offense. Use him on vertical shot performs, get him happening shallows in a few of Denver’s fast sport ideas in addition to in-breaking routes off of play-action or RPO designs, and he could be Nix’s finest pal subsequent season.
And taking a look at how he suits into what’s abruptly a crowded WR room, you may take a look at an 11 personnel package deal of Courtland Sutton, Waddle, and Troy Franklin. Between Sutton and Waddle, there may be sufficient expertise to emphasize the vast majority of NFL defenses.
The Broncos have a imaginative and prescient right here, and we do admire that. They just like the group that was one sport away from Tremendous Bowl LX, noticed a means to enhance that group for 2026, and have paid the value they wanted to pay.
Now let’s flip to the Dolphins for a second.
The brand new regime has made a number of key strikes to date, most notably signing free agent quarterback Malik Willis. And after releasing Tyreek Hill and buying and selling Jaylen Waddle, one has to surprise the place Willis will go within the passing sport.
Nevertheless, now the Dolphins have a pair of first-round choices (No. 11 and No. 30) and have two completely different spots the place they’ll add a receiver within the draft to assist with what some are calling a “fast rebuilding” course of. Miami additionally will get an additional third-round decide, in addition to an additional fourth-round decide, to work with when the 2026 NFL Draft will get underway.
That strikes Miami a step nearer to the roster reset they’re searching for this offseason.
Nonetheless, we’ve got to have a look at the method. Having a number of first-round picks is an efficient factor on paper, however what the Dolphins finally do with these picks will inform the complete story of this commerce. That tempts us to present Miami an “incomplete” grade right here, and revisit this story in April after we get a extra full image of their imaginative and prescient.
So we’ll give this commerce a strong grade, with room for enchancment.
Or to slide relying on the place they go from right here.
