Excitement is in the air.
After the best season in nearly a decade, a roster that returns pretty much intact, and expectations of a Super Bowl, you see why.
What adds to all of this is that Bo Nix finally got his offensive weapon in Jaylen Waddle.
The most exciting thing about Broncos training camp starting is Waddle. It’ll also be their first look at what the offense could look like with Waddle in the mix, the type of rapport he and his quarterback have, and Nix back on the field for the first time
since he fractured his ankle in the win over the Buffalo Bills.
To help Broncos Country get an idea of what to expect from Waddle in Denver, the impact he could have on the offense, and the hole he leaves behind for the Miami Dolphins, we go behind enemy lines with Kevin Nogle from The Phinsider to get the answers.
MHR: How much of a loss is Waddle to the Dolphins? How will they look to replace him?
Kevin: The Dolphins offense is going to be completely different than what we have seen over the past few years, with the team turning from the finesse, speed-based team that Mike McDaniel wanted into a more power-focused team under new head coach Jeff Haffley. Waddle absolutely could have been a big part of the rebuild for the team, giving quarterback Malik Willis a dynamic threat on the outside, that this is not going to be a quick-fix rebuild for the Dolphins and adding multiple draft picks for Waddle made a lot of sense.
Waddle was a huge part of the Dolphins’ offense, but he was always in the shadow of Tyreek Hill. Waddle’s best years were his first two seasons, when he caught 104 passes in his rookie season and tallied 1,356 yards on a league-high 18.1 yards per reception average his second year. Miami’s offense went through Hill, then to Waddle, who always seemed on the verge of breaking out as a true number one receiver, but never fully made that leap.
My guess for how the Dolphins replace Waddle (and Hill) is that they will be looking for their true No. 1 receiver in 2027. Malik Washington has a chance to step up after being the third option the last couple of seasons. Free agents Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and Terrace Marshall could factor into the passing game. Rookies Caleb Douglas (third round), Chris Bell (third round), and Kevin Coleman, Jr., (fifth round) were all drafted to rebuild the group and could fight their way into the top spot this summer and into the season. Miami’s plan right now has to be to find the best options possible for this year, then evaluate their needs for next year after the season.
MHR: What makes Waddle a good receiver? Where are some areas he needs to improve?
Kevin: Waddle’s strength is his speed. When he has the ball in his hands, he can run away from just about everyone on the field. His best performances seemed to come when he was targeted on in-breaking routes or slants over the middle, allowing him to get up to full speed, see the entire field, and make the right move to add yards after the catch. He has a good catch radius, allowing him to make catches away from his body and remain at speed. He can also be very precise in his route running, which worked really well in the McDaniel offense, which stressed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa placing the ball in an exact spot with trust that the receiver would be there.
As for weaknesses, Waddle is not the most durable receiver in the league. He has missed a game or two each of the last few seasons, and he will end up on the sideline for stretches in games. He relies on his speed to get off the line of scrimmage and create separation, but if a cornerback is able to get his hands on him early, Waddle does not have the size to fight through effective jams.
MHR: How will Waddle respond to Sean Payton and his coaching? Could Waddle get even better?
Kevin: I think Waddle is Sean Payton’s missing joker. He’s not Reggie Bush or Alvin Kamara, coming out of the backfield, and he is nowhere near Jimmy Graham’s size, but I think Payton sees the potential of moving Waddle around to create mismatches that he wants out of the joker role. Miami used motion and strange alignments under McDaniel, primarily focusing on Hill but with Waddle as well, and I think that experience will allow Waddle to adapt quickly to what Payton wants.
There is definitely still potential for Waddle to get better. Everything says he should be a number one receiver, but he just has not gotten there yet. Part of that was obviously Hill, but part of it was Waddle getting in his own way sometimes – whether it was injuries or just not seeming to fully commit. A change of scenery and Payton’s past success should lead to Waddle taking that next step.
MHR: What should Broncos fans expect from Waddle in his first season in Denver?
Kevin: I think he will be a great compliment to Courtland Sutton, adding more speed to the Broncos’ offense. Waddle playing the two to Sutton as the one, especially early in the season, would make the most sense to a Dolphins fan looking at the Broncos’ depth chart, but I would not be surprised if Waddle has more receptions than Sutton by the end of the season.
Waddle is going to have some absolute highlight plays, especially if he is able to get the ball and use his speed to gash opposing defenses. But there will be some times where he simply disappears for chunks of a game.
MHR: How much better does Waddle make Bo Nix and the Broncos offense? And is this a good fit?
Kevin: I think it is a great fit. The Broncos need that piece to push them over the top, and Waddle could be it. He is going to become a favorite for Nix, who will be able to trust a short throw over the middle could break for a long gain simply because Waddle is the receiver. I think where you will see Waddle’s stats jump is moving away from the Dolphins’ tendency to throw passes at or behind the line of scrimmage – McDaniel loved the screen pass – and letting Waddle get out a little deeper.
Payton will find the right way to create the mismatches that get Waddle away from jams and utilize his speed to maximize his effectiveness. I understand the reason Waddle was traded, and I know it makes sense in a long-term vision for Miami, but I do not have to like the idea of him in Broncos orange instead of Dolphins aqua.
