The Denver Broncos went 14-3, earned the top seed in the AFC, and looked like one of the best teams in football for a large majority of the 2025 season — and that was with a middle-of-the-pack offense. The Broncos averaged just 223.9 passing yards per game (11th in the NFL) and 23.6 points per game (14th). It became clear Denver needed another elite wide receiver to pair with Courtland Sutton, and the team believes it found one in Jaylen Waddle.
After missing the Broncos' preseason opener in Atlanta, Waddle made his preseason debut Friday and immediately made his presence felt, connecting with Bo Nix for a 35-yard gain across the middle of the field on just the third play of Denver's opening series. For a moment, it looked like he might break it open for what could have been a 60-yard touchdown, but he was eventually run into three Packers defenders. Still, that one play showcased the explosiveness Waddle brings to the offense.
More news: Mike Macdonald Stays Tight-Lipped on Injured Seahawks WR’s Status On Saturday morning, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler explained how the Broncos genuinely view Waddle as the "missing piece" to their offense. "They feel like [Waddle] is the missing piece," Fowler said on SportsCenter. "When you talk to people in Denver, they cannot contain their excitement for Waddle because of how he fits the offense with head coach Sean Payton, new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, and Nix.
They feel he can work the middle of the field with his route running, but he can also get the yards after the catch, which you see right there. He can get the big play; he can do a little bit of everything. So, the good news with that is, Nix is not only healthy, but they feel like he's added a little layer of arm strength this offseason.
He's been really zipping the ball. So, it's a good marriage right now between those two. Everybody's healthy and happy." More news: Aaron Glenn Gives Geno Smith Glowing Review After First Game Back With the Jets More news: Browns HC Todd Monken Reportedly Nearing Decision on Starting QB The Dolphins traded Waddle and a fourth-round pick (No. 111 overall) to Denver in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (No. 30 overall), a third-round pick (No. 94 overall), and a fourth-round pick (No. 130 overall).
Those are three valuable picks the Broncos could have used elsewhere, but the trade underscores just how much they valued Waddle. The former first-round pick posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his NFL career in Miami, including a breakout 2022 campaign in which he hauled in 75 catches for 1,356 yards (seventh-most in the league) and eight touchdowns, averaging 18.1 yards per catch (firstin the league). And he did all of that while his teammate Tyreek Hill exploded for over 1,700 receiving yards.
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