The Denver Broncos knew they needed an offensive playmaker before the 2026 season started. One could argue that it was the team's most glaring need.
The Broncos chose to give up their first-round pick in this year's draft (and more) in order to get Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins this spring. It was an expensive move, but one Broncos Country immediately celebrated.
The Broncos were elated to add Waddle to their roster, and they will be overcome with joy if a recent prediction made by Douglas Clawson of CBS Sports comes true.
"Michael Thomas caught an NFL record 149 balls in 2019 in a 16-game season with Sean Payton." Clawson wrote for CBS. "I think Payton will ride newly acquired WR Jaylen Waddle to at least 130 grabs this year after trading
a first-round pick for the electric playmaker."
Clawson uses the words "at least." That would be huge, as only six players in NFL history have ever reached 130 receptions in a season. Michael Thomas' record of 149 in 2019, set under Payton in New Orleans, stands as the single-season record.
The most receptions Waddle has ever had in one season came in his rookie year of 2021, when he caught 104 passes. The most the Broncos have ever had in a season was 113 by Rod Smith in 2001.
The Broncos have only had 10 players in team history reach even 100 catches in a season. This is the definition of a bold prediction, but Clawson certainly expects the Broncos to feed their new weapon.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: CBS makes bold prediction for Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle
