One week after the start of NFL free agency, and most big names have found a home. That doesn’t mean the league is done making moves. Arguably the biggest trade of the offseason was completed on Tuesday. The Broncos acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
This move has major ramifications for the AFC postseason picture. It’s also a big deal in terms of fantasy football. What should managers expect from Waddle next season in Denver?
Jaylen Waddle fantasy outlook
A once-potent Dolphins offense used to feature Waddle and fellow wideout Tyreek Hill. Now, neither player will be suiting up in South Beach. For the former, it’s not due to a lack of production. Despite Miami’s numerous issues last season, Waddle turned in another solid season. Through 16 games, he hauled in 64 receptions on 100 targets for 910 yards and six touchdowns. Still, it’s a far cry from his 1,356-yard 2023 campaign.
By giving up significant draft compensation, the Broncos are clearly high on Waddle. The slot specialist should give quarterback Bo Nix an elite safety blanket over the middle of the field. However, unlike the Dolphins last season, Denver already has a quality red zone target in Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton. Together with Waddle, the two could turn an above-average passing attack into one of the game’s best.
Denver, despite its 14 regular season wins in 2025, was somewhat fortunate. After all, this group had a good, not great, 11-6 pythagorean record. Assuming there’s some regression to the mean, the Broncos might find themselves trailing more than usual next season. That’s not to say this won’t be a playoff team, but more frequent passing situations feel almost inevitable.
It’s worth noting that Nix led the entire NFL last season with 612 pass attempts. However, his 6.43 adjusted yards per pass attempt ranked as 25th among all eligible quarterbacks. A slew of modest completions plays right into Waddle’s skillset. That makes this move a clear upgrade, especially in PPR formats. It’s not as if Denver’s backfield, split between J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, is dominant.
Granted, Waddle was the undisputed top option in Miami following Hill’s season-ending ACL tear. That’s unlikely to be the case in Denver barring a significant injury. Regardless, it wouldn’t be unheard of for the veteran Sutton to take a back seat. Besides, as previously mentioned, Nix seems to prefer quick passes rather than slinging it downfield. While the overall target share for Waddle could take a hit, there should be more yards after the catch and red zone opportunities next season. The 27-year-old might not see his ADP rise too high following this move. Still, as things stand right now, Waddle is someone worth consideration as a borderline WR1-high end WR2.
