Many of fans of the Miami Dolphins were shocked to see yesterday’s headline come across their phone and computer screens yesterday — “Jaylen Waddle traded to Denver Broncos.”
Some were happy with the haul the Dolphins got in return for a player who has only gone over 1,100 yards receiving in a single season once since being drafted #6 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Plenty of other fans were saddened to see a beloved personality take his talents from South Florida to the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado.
The Dolphins sent Waddle and a fourth round pick to the Broncos in return for a 1st round pick (30th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, plus 3rd and 4th round selections this year as well. Miami now owns two 1st round picks, one 2nd round pick, and four 3rd round picks in this year’s selection process — 7 selections within the first 100 picks. It’s truly monster number for a team desperate to rebuild following the failed tenures of general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel.
However, as things stand now, Miami’s wide receiver room lacks a true alpha pass catcher that can change games in favor of the Dolphins, and new quarterback Malik Willis will have to be evaluated without significant offensive weaponry besides running back De’Von Achane.
Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports provided his commentary shortly following yesterday’s swap between Denver and Miami — and the results weren’t kind to the Dolphins.
He gave the Broncos a “B” for the deal, but Miami only secured a “C” from the writer — with Cwik citing Miami’s offense being “bereft of talent” following the trade.
It’s a move that leaves the Dolphins’ offense mostly bereft of talent. Star running back De’Von Achane is still around … but he should also be a trade candidate considering he’s entering the final year of his contract. Things could get worse in Miami before they get better.
Nate Davis of USA Today named winners and losers of the monumental deal, and had Willis coming out on the losing end of the trade.
Miami’s newly signed QB1 doesn’t have an obvious WR1 at this point in time. Maybe the added draft capital eventually resolves that, especially in a year when there seems to be both encouraging quality and quantity at the position. But in the interim, Willis will be throwing to guys this spring unlikely to have a high-end impact in the fall.
However, Davis did list new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley as winners.
Miami’s nascent brain trust – Sullivan the newly hired GM and Hafley the head coach, both imports from the Green Bay Packers – gets some added juice for what is an obvious rebuild. The win-loss record may not be pretty in 2026, when the Dolphins will also be working off most of their Tua Tagovailoa salary cap debt. But owning three of the draft’s top 43 picks should provide a needed infusion of youth and talent with brighter days hopefully ahead.
___
So… What do you think? How would you grade the Dolphins and Broncos trade yesterday that saw Miami gain a ton of draft capital, but also saw the organization give up one of their most explosive pieces on offense? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter/X at @MBrave13! Fins up!
