Broncos Acquire Star WR Jaylen Waddle from Dolphins

Denver gives up 2026 first, third, and fourth-round picks to land the 27-year-old playmaker.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:26am

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The Denver Broncos have acquired star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins in a blockbuster trade. Denver sent Miami their 2026 first-round pick (No. 30), third-round pick (No. 94), and a fourth-round pick (No. 130) in exchange for Waddle and the Dolphins' 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 111). The move is seen as a major win for the Broncos as they look to bolster their offense and make a Super Bowl push.

Why it matters

The Broncos were in need of offensive firepower to complement their talented roster, and Waddle provides that as one of the league's most dynamic young receivers. This trade signals Denver's intent to go all-in and maximize their Super Bowl window with quarterback Russell Wilson under center.

The details

Waddle, a former first-round pick, has emerged as a star in his first four NFL seasons with the Dolphins. The 27-year-old has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons and is one of the league's most dangerous big-play threats. The Broncos are parting with significant draft capital to acquire him, but believe he can take their offense to new heights alongside Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram.

  • The trade was completed on March 17, 2026.

The players

Jaylen Waddle

A 27-year-old wide receiver who was a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2022 and has emerged as one of the NFL's top young playmakers.

Russell Wilson

The veteran quarterback of the Denver Broncos who is looking to lead the team to a Super Bowl championship.

Courtland Sutton

A talented wide receiver for the Denver Broncos who will now team up with Jaylen Waddle to form a dangerous receiving corps.

Evan Engram

The Broncos' starting tight end who will benefit from the addition of Jaylen Waddle to the offense.

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What they’re saying

“I like that for Denver... this is when you go for it.”

— Nick Wright, Television personality (What's Wright? with Nick Wright)

What’s next

The Broncos will look to integrate Jaylen Waddle into their offense as quickly as possible and hope the move pays off with a Super Bowl run in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This trade demonstrates the Broncos' aggressive approach to maximizing their championship window with Russell Wilson at quarterback. By acquiring the dynamic Jaylen Waddle, Denver has significantly upgraded its offensive firepower and signaled its intent to contend for a Super Bowl title in the near future.