Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos
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Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after Tyreek Hill #10 was injured against the New York Jets.
The Denver Broncos pulled off one of the headlining deals of the 2026 offseason with their blockbuster trade for now-former Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle arrives with a proven track record of production, blazing speed that figures to complement new teammate Courtland Sutton well, and is signed through the 2028 season on a three-year, $84.7 million contract.
However, all of that has also set the stage for a pressing matter that the Broncos must address.
Broncos Must Address ‘Significant’ Jaylen Waddle Question After Trade
Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos
GettyJaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during warmups before a game against the Buffalo Bills.
With the owners meetings in Phoenix beginning on Monday, March 30, The Denver Post’s Luca Evans posed five questions the team “must answer.” How they will maximize Waddle topped the list for Broncos general manager George Paton and, even more, head coach Sean Payton.
Evans cited the Broncos’ failure to get more out of tight end Evan Engram. He was their big offensive free agent signing around this time during the 2025 offseason.
That recent history looms large for Payton and Co.
“Denver, again, does not have a first-round pick in 2026. The Waddle trade, by simple math, is contingent on the fact that he can provide more value across the next few seasons than a theoretical draftee at pick No. 30 could provide. That’s significant. Particularly since Payton organizations haven’t traded for a wide receiver since Bethel Johnson in 2006,” Evans wrote on March 28.
“Waddle played 60% of his snaps from the slot as a rookie in 2021 for the Dolphins, but saw his usage there hover around 25% for the last four seasons under Mike McDaniel. It’ll be fascinating to see if Payton views Waddle more as an inside or outside threat, and how he can open defenses up for Courtland Sutton and the rest of Denver’s current WR corps.”
Waddle was the sixth overall pick of the 2021 draft. He was a member of the All-Rookie team, but he has never been named to a Pro Bowl. That is despite rattling off three straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons to begin his career.
Evans’ other questions included the Broncos’ plans for what turned out to be a rather quiet free agency, needs after the frenzy, quarterback Bo Nix’s health, and updates on the new stadium.
Waddle can be counted as a factor or relevant to three of those items.
All-Pro Could Be Odd Man Out in Broncos’ Offense
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
GettyMarvin Mims Jr. #19 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Waddle’s addition will have a ripple effect on the Broncos. Sutton is a two-time Pro Bowler and has been Nix’s top target. The group also includes recent draft picks Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin. The latter was a college teammate of Nix’s.
Payton has compared Bryant to former New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas.
That would seemingly leave Mims as the odd man out. He is an All-Pro and Pro Bowl returner who has largely been a gadget player on offense.
Waddle’s addition has sparked trade speculation around the rest of the Broncos’ wide receiver room, save for Sutton. Mims’ lack of offensive usage belies his ability to impact the game. He showed as much with his strong play in the postseason.
However, he also profiles similarly to Waddle. His opportunities could be reduced more than others in the wide receiver room due to redundancy.
At the same time, Mims is also insurance for the Broncos if Waddle gets injured.