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By Logan Brown
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The Denver Broncos have prioritized bringing back talent from last season's roster in NFL free agency, but now they are swinging big to add a vertical pass-catcher for quarterback Bo Nix.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Miami Dolphins are sending star wideout Jaylen Waddle and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos for a host of quality draft picks. Denver will send the No. 30 pick in April's draft to Miami, as well as a third-round and fourth-round pick.
The Broncos have been intrigued by the wide receiver market both in free agency and in the draft, and Sean Payton has specifically been searching for a speedy receiver with dynamic abilities. Waddle fills those needs at just 27 years old.
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Denver did try to acquire Waddle at the trade deadline, but couldn't strike a deal. Miami even turned down a first-round pick from the division rival Buffalo Bills, so it was clear the Dolphins didn't want to move him.
This move is part of a complete teardown of the Dolphins as they reset and rebuild. The team already cut ties with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason, so new quarterback Malik Willis will have his work cut out for him in his first season in Miami. Luckily, thanks to the Waddle trade, the Dolphins now have two first-round picks: No. 11 and No. 30.
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The 5-foot-10 speedster will give Nix a weapon downfield that he hasn't had yet in his career. Last season, Waddle made 64 catches for 910 yards and six touchdowns. His best season came back in 2022, when he made 75 catches for a career-high 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns.
He has familiarity with being a second option in the passing game, dating back to his college days at Alabama, so he should fit nicely next to Courtland Sutton if that ends up being the case.
Waddle signed a three-year, $84.75 million extension with Miami in 2024, so the Broncos won't have to worry about paying him again for a few years. Still, it's a lot of draft capital to surrender for a team that might have been a healthy quarterback away from appearing in the Super Bowl last season. Some young additions could really lift the Broncos next season.
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