The NFL’s free agency period is open to all players. However, it is always those in skill positions who manage to make the most noise with their moves. If you need proof, look no further than the Kansas City Chiefs signing the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, the Buffalo Bills’ trade for D.J. Moore, or the seemingly never-ending circle of trade rumors involving the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown.
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Arguably, the most notable move of the entire 2026 free agency window has to be the Denver Broncos’ trade for the now-former Miami Dolphin, Jaylen Waddle. Much has been made of the franchise’s willingness to pay a first- and third-round draft pick for the 27-year-old.
Kay Adams sees the deal differently, though. Giving up draft capital for Waddle is completely justifiable given the Broncos’ current situation, according to the analyst. “They pick at 30,” Adams said about the first-round draft choice that Denver gave up, before explaining why Denver does not seem to need an early pick.
“That’s a pretty easy thing to wrap your head around. Second of all, you have to evaluate the Broncos’ situation. Everyone who played at least 50% of snaps on what was the most complete team in the AFC top to bottom is back. Everyone. There aren’t holes that you need a bunch of picks to fill,” explained Adams.
Thanks to the trade, Denver, which now has Waddle and Courtland Sutton, is just the fourth team in the league to possess two wide receivers who both managed to finish inside the top 25 in terms of receiving yards last year. They were also able to retain everyone who starred in their AFC Championship run. Besides, Bo Nix is still on his rookie deal, and it seems relatively safe to suggest that this was a smash-accept deal for the Broncos.
Everyone from Denver’s fan base to the front office seemed to be thrilled after the team announced its procurement of Waddle. And during one of his first official interviews as a Bronco, the former Dolphin noted that he was feeling more of the same vibe.
“It’s exciting. It’s definitely something new,” Waddle noted.
“Yesterday morning, they gave me the news. I came out here, and it’s been great… It’s the NFL, so you can never know for sure or what can happen. It’s part of the business, but it’s been great. My time out here has been great. It feels like home, feels like family. Everyone’s been welcoming, so it’s been great,” he added.
With a career average of 1,007.8 receiving yards per season, Waddle will now work in tandem with a Broncos offense that managed to produce the 10th most yards of any team in the league last season. So, unless any kind of setbacks or unforeseen circumstances occur down the line, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see the Broncos making their way back toward the AFC Championship in 2026.
