Broncos Acquire Jaylen Waddle in Blockbuster Trade with Dolphins

Waddle joins Broncos, teams make big trade

Denver Broncos acquire Jaylen Waddle and 2026 fourth-round pick from Miami Dolphins.

Jaylen Waddle traded to Broncos for 2026 first-round pick, other draft capital...

The Denver Broncos just made a huge move, acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the Miami Dolphins. In return, the Dolphins are getting the Broncos' 2026 first-round pick (30th overall), third-round pick, and another fourth-round pick.

This trade gives Bo Nix a major target, pairing him with Courtland Sutton and potentially elevating the Broncos' offense. Waddle, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, brings speed and skill, having recorded 64 catches for 910 yards and six touchdowns last season. The Dolphins, rebuilding under new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, gain valuable draft capital.

The 27-year-old Waddle has a relatively modest cap hit of around $4.9 million heading into the next season, with a base salary of $1.2 million. However, things get interesting in 2027, when his cap hit jumps to $27 million and his base salary balloons to $23.39 million. Sounds like a big payday is coming his way.

Waddle was the sixth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and has spent his first five years with the Dolphins, achieving three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons early in his career. However, 2024 was his worst season, but it seems there's an error in your stats - he actually put up 910 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 64 receptions in 2025, not 2024.

Miami's 7-10 record in 2025 was their worst since drafting Waddle, marking a tough season for the team. Now, Waddle joins the Broncos, who had a strong 2025 run, making it to the AFC Championship with an 11th-ranked passing offense (223.9 yards per game). Exciting times for Bo Nix and the Broncos offense.

TRADE: Broncos trading for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/l2CBbcHFLm

— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2026

Waddle joins a talented Broncos receiving corps, lining up alongside two-time Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton, who's had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 7+ touchdowns each. He'll also work with young gun Troy Franklin, who's showing promise after a 709-yard, 6-touchdown rookie season. Exciting times for the Broncos offense.