Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos
Getty
Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins warms up before a game against the New England Patriots.
The Denver Broncos explored a potential trade for Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in 2025 to no avail. Now, the talented playmaker could have a score to settle with All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II.
Notably, Surtain and Waddle were college teammates.
However, Surtain made himself quite clear in the wake of some incendiary comments from his fellow former Alabama Crimson Tide.
Broncos’ Pat Surtain II Reacts to Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle
Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
GettyPat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Surtain and Waddle were also draft mates, with the Broncos selecting the corner three slot after the Dolphins tabbed the wideout in the first round in 2021.
During a recent interview, Waddle was asked which player he would like to step into the ring with. He named Surtain, emphasizing that he would “beat the f***” and the “dog s***” out of the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s a lot more people,” Waddle told Brand Risk Promotions on March 15. “That’s just top of my mind.”
Surtain responded to the clip on X, saying Waddle had “a little too much dip on your chip.”
Waddle was in attendance for a celebrity boxing event, and his history with Surtain would suggest the remarks were nothing more than tongue-in-cheek banter from one friend to another rather than anything malicious.
Still, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Waddle calling out the 6-foot-2, 202-pound Surtain would be a matchup worthy of a card for BRP.
Surtain is not a big trash talker, but he did not hesitate to respond to Waddle’s playful threat.
Free Agency Delivers Big Blow to Potential Broncos Trade for Jaylen Waddle
Jaylen Waddle
GettyJaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a game against the New York Jets.
The Broncos have been a frequent mention as a potential landing spot for various wide receivers this offseason, but nothing has come to fruition.
Likewise, Waddle was the subject of plenty of trade speculation over the past year. That, too, has slowed, especially after the Dolphins replaced Tua Tagovailoa with Malik Willis in free agency this offseason.
Willis is a former third-round pick, and the Dolphins are his third team since the 2022 season.
The Dolphins are trying to remain competitive, and trading away a player of Waddle’s caliber would be the antithesis of that.
He had 64 receptions for 910 yards and 6 touchdowns this past season, his second of back-to-back down campaigns. That is part of why trade speculation emerged and why the Dolphins made a change at quarterback.
Waddle began his career with three straight seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards.
He has also had at least 100 catches in four of five NFL seasons, underscoring his productivity and consistency despite enduring inconsistency at quarterback.
Marvin Mims Closest Thing in Denver to Jaylen Waddle
Marvin Mims
GettyMarvin Mims Jr. #19 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a punt return against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos have been in need of a second option at wideout opposite Courtland Sutton, and have a trio of young players–Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin–on hand to continue developing in that capacity as their offense looks to match Surtain and the defense.
Of that group, Mims is the most reasonable facsimile of Waddle.
However, he has never graduated beyond being a spot factor on offense amid his All-Pro and Pro Bowl production as a returner.
Adding a player like Waddle would certainly help tip the scales in the Broncos’ favor. It is also worth exploring just how much more there is to Mims’ game. That is, if the Broncos do not feel he has already reached or come close to his ceiling.