Broncos Acquire Star WR Jaylen Waddle in Trade with Dolphins

Denver gives up 1st, 3rd, and 4th round picks to land the speedy playmaker

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:27am

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The Denver Broncos have made a blockbuster trade, acquiring star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins. In exchange, the Broncos are sending the Dolphins their first, third, and fourth-round picks, along with Miami's own fourth-round selection. Waddle, a former first-round pick, set the NFL rookie record for receptions in 2021 and led the league in yards per catch in 2022, making him one of the league's most dynamic young receivers.

Why it matters

The Broncos were in need of offensive firepower this offseason, and Waddle's addition gives them a true game-breaking threat to complement their other receiving options. As a national champion at Alabama and a top-10 draft pick, Waddle brings a proven track record of success to Denver as they look to build a contender in the AFC.

The details

In the trade, the Broncos are sending the Dolphins their first, third, and fourth-round picks, along with Miami's own fourth-round selection. Waddle set the NFL rookie record with 104 receptions in 2021 and led the league in yards per catch in 2022 at 18.1. The Broncos had reportedly been interested in trading for Waddle last season, but the Dolphins' asking price was too high at the time.

  • The trade was completed on March 18, 2026.
  • Waddle set the NFL rookie receptions record in 2021.
  • Waddle led the league in yards per catch in 2022.

The players

Jaylen Waddle

A former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Waddle is one of the NFL's most dynamic young wide receivers.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are looking to add offensive firepower this offseason and saw Waddle as a perfect fit to complement their receiving corps.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are trading away their star wide receiver in exchange for a significant haul of draft picks from the Broncos.

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What they’re saying

“Waddle is one of the most explosive players in the NFL, and we're thrilled to add him to our offense. His speed and playmaking ability will be a huge asset as we look to take the next step as a team.”

— George Paton, General Manager, Denver Broncos (Broncos press release)

“While it's tough to part with a player of Jaylen's caliber, we felt this trade was the best move for our long-term future. We're excited about the draft capital we've acquired and look forward to using it to continue building a championship-contending roster.”

— Chris Grier, General Manager, Miami Dolphins (Dolphins press release)

What’s next

The Broncos will look to quickly integrate Waddle into their offense and have him ready to make an immediate impact when the 2026 season kicks off.

The takeaway

This trade represents a significant investment by the Broncos in their passing attack, as they look to surround young quarterback Drew Lock with elite playmakers. Waddle's combination of speed, route-running, and big-play ability makes him one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL, and his arrival in Denver raises the ceiling of their entire offense.