Miami Dolphins
Getty
The Dolphins shared a message after trading Jaylen Waddle
The Miami Dolphins made the surprising decision totrade former first-round pick wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos in exchange for draft capital. Waddle had been listed as atrade candidate by ESPN’s Dan Graziano; however, they predicted only a 10% chance he would get traded.
Many wondered whether the Dolphins were setting up new quarterback Malik Willis to fail, as none of the Dolphins’ top wide receivers on the team surpassed 500 receiving yards last season. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was a member of Green Bay’s front office prior to joining the Dolphins, and the Packers famously went 23 years without taking a wide receiver in the first round of the draft. Additionally, they traded away superstar wide receiver Davante Adams prior to the 2022 season.
Now, after trading Waddle after five seasons with the team, the Dolphins sent a clear message on social media.
Miami Dolphins Thank Waddle After Trade
After the trade became official once Waddle passed his physical with the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins sent a message on social media thanking the wide receiver for his contributions over five seasons.They posted, “Five years in the 305. Thank you, JDub.” In the image attached, they included his Dolphins accolades which were: sixth among Dolphins receivers in yards, eighth in receptions, eighth in receiving touchdowns, and most receiving yards in his first five years with the team.
Additionally, the team shared a video with his highlights,with the caption, “Nothing but love for the penguin.”
Waddle reposted the video on his Instagram story, adding “LOVE” to his own story.
Ramifications of Waddle Trade
Sports Illustrated’s Alain Poupart believed the Dolphins did well in the trade, as he wrote, “Being able to get two prime picks for him at a time when the Dolphins are rebuilding and need to establish a roster foundation is big because picks in the first and third round are more valuable than Waddle right now,” Poupart added, “This isn’t to bash Waddle, but to reinforce the idea that getting a 1 and a 3 for him was good work by the Dolphins, and getting rid of his cap considerations in a year that’s about setting a foundation more than competing for the playoffs brought it to the great work level.
Yes, this indeed was an offer that Sullivan couldn’t pass up.”
Now, Miami must figure out a way to not only replace some of Tyreek Hill’s production, but Waddle’s.Sports Illustrated’s Dante Collinelli addressed some hypothetical scenarios to improve at the wide receiver position. Collinelli ranked Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate as the best possible option in the first round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, as he wrote, “Tate is probably the draft’s most well-rounded receiver. He’s 6-3, 195 pounds, and runs a pretty expansive route tree. He specialized in making downfield plays for the Buckeyes this past season, but not with speed. Tate wins with good routes, releases against press coverage, and the ability to make contested catches above the rim. He had an 85.7% contested catch rate this past season, according to Pro Football Focus.”