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  1. Jaylen Waddle Trade Compensation Update
  2. Jaylen Waddle Stats
  3. Denver Broncos Depth Chart
  4. Dolphins Depth Chart
  5. Jaylen Waddle Trade Fantasy Impact

It’s been reported this Saint Patrick’s Day morning that the Miami Dolphins are trading star wide receive Jayeln Waddle to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos largely whiffed in free agency, looking for offensive help both at running back and receiver. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are looking to enter a new era after the departure of Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa. The move helps both teams in the direction they are moving and could have a big impact for fantasy football, as we’ll discuss below.

Jaylen Waddle Trade Compensation Update

The official NFL account confirmed via information from Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo that the main pieces of the trade are Jaylen Waddle for first and third round picks, with a fourth round pick swap. Here’s how the compensation shakes out.

Broncos Get:

Dolphins Get:

  • 2026 Broncos 1st Round Pick
  • 2026 Broncos 3rd Round Pick
  • 2026 Broncos 4th round pick

 

 

 

Jaylen Waddle Stats

Jaylen Waddle hit the ground running after being drafted in the first round with over 1,000 yards on 140 targets as a rookie. In his sophomore season, Mike McDaniel came in, moved him to a higher average depth or target (aDot) role on the outside opposite new acquisition Tyreek Hill, and he blew up with 1,356 yards and 8 TD despite only getting 117 targets. That’s the power of running deeper routes as his aDot went from a mere 7 yards as a rookie to 12.7 in year two.

Since then, Jaylen Waddle has fallen largely into the “what if” category. What if Tyreek Hill were gone? What if he had a better quarterback? What if he could stay healthy for a full season? He’s yet to recapture the magic of that second season, but maybe a chance of scenery could help.

Denver Broncos Depth Chart

The Broncos have essentially had Courtland Sutton as their big split end and have held tryouts for two years for the role opposite him. Guys like Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant have all gotten a shot without any of them really being able to hold down the role. They’ve also tried out some “ big slot” tight ends like Evan Engram and Lucas Krull without much success there.

 

 

 

Dolphins Depth Chart

The Dolphins have now moved on from their three top pass-catchers in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Darren Waller (though technically Hill and Waller are still floating around in free agency). It’s a complete reset for the group as they move into the post Mike McDaniel/Tua Tagoavailoa era. Malik Washington is really the only wideout on the team who has gotten meaningful snaps in the past, while they have also brought in reclamation projects like Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, and Terrace Marshall.

De’Vone Achane will likely be expected to carry a heavy load with that receiving group. He and Christian McCaffrey have already far and away led the running backs in routes run from a WR spot the last few years. Some have speculated, however, that maybe they continue to blow it up and trade Achane too. Greg Dulcich is currently sitting in the TE1 chair as it stands, but there are some free agents floating around and some solid options in this draft class. 

One additional thing worth mentioning is that Bobby Slowik comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree. Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk are all floating around out there. We could absolutely see the Dolphins as a destination for one, possibly even two of these players. They already know the terminology and basics of the scheme. Also on the table could be Slowik and company trading for a player like Tank Dell, who he had success with in 2023 with Houston.

Jaylen Waddle Trade Fantasy Impact

Many teams in the league deploy the combo of a big split end with a slot/flanker on the other side. The idea is you have one big-bodied wide receiver tethered to the line, then another star that plays flanker for two wide receiver sets but moves into the slot for three wide receiver sets. The bigger player ends up facing the jam and battling top corners, but does get looks on the outside, especially redzone looks in one vs. one. The smaller wide receiver is now free to line up off the line, go in motion, and operate in space. 

The most notable example of this would be how Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were used for years in Tampa Bay. But it’s also deployed by the Bengals with Tee Higgins/Ja'Marr Chase, the Rams with Davante Adams/Puka Nacua, the Cowboys with George Pickens/CeeDee Lamb, etc. Waddle now has an opportunity to carve out a big role, while it’s obviously disappointing news for other pass-catchers. The one player I most interest in holding for dynasty leagues would be Pat Bryant who maybe could hold on and be the next split end after Courtland Sutton is done.

As for the Dolphins, they’ll be starting fresh here with their direction. Bobby Slowik’s scheme does use a lot of pre-snap motion and field stretchers, so Malik Washington and Tutu Atwell could have a chance. In all likelihood, they will probably draft at least one wide receiver here. De’Vone Achane and whoever the starting tight end is - whether it’s Greg Dulcich or someone else - now has an increased chance at touches as well.