Why the Bills Should Pump the Brakes on a Jaylen Waddle Trade
The Buffalo Bills have been searching for answers at wide receiver ever since Stefon Diggs was shipped out back in April 2024. And to be blunt, the search hasn’t exactly been inspiring. While the front office has made some efforts to fill the void, the results haven’t matched the urgency of a team still chasing a Super Bowl window with Josh Allen at the helm.
One of the more intriguing developments came around the 2024 trade deadline, when Bills GM Brandon Beane hinted at a near-miss deal for a top-tier receiver. Without naming names, Beane told Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio that Buffalo had the “strongest offer” on the table for a wideout, but the other team ultimately passed.
"Maybe they decided it wasn't enough, or maybe they decided they just didn't want to send him in the division," Beane said.
Connect the dots, and all signs point to Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins being that unnamed receiver. The Jets weren’t moving Garrett Wilson, and the Patriots weren’t parting with any key pass-catchers - including, ironically, Diggs himself. That leaves Waddle as the most likely target.
So, would Waddle have been a good fit in Buffalo? On paper, he certainly checks a lot of boxes.
He burst onto the scene with three straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2021 to 2023, including a breakout 2022 campaign where he racked up 1,356 yards and averaged a blistering 18.1 yards per catch. That kind of explosiveness would be a welcome addition to any offense, especially one that lost a dynamic playmaker like Diggs.
But context matters. Over the last two seasons, Waddle hasn’t cracked the 1,000-yard mark. Some of that can be chalked up to Miami’s quarterback inconsistency, but it also raises a fair question: is Waddle a true No. 1 receiver, or is he more of a high-end WR2 who thrives alongside a dominant alpha like Tyreek Hill?
That question becomes even more important when you factor in Waddle’s contract. He inked a three-year, $84.75 million extension with the Dolphins in May 2024, locking him in through 2028. That deal includes massive cap hits - $33.8 million in 2027 and $37.2 million in 2028 - numbers that would put serious strain on Buffalo’s already tight salary cap.
And let’s not forget: Miami would be asking for a hefty return, especially from a division rival. There’s no way the Dolphins would let Waddle walk without demanding premium draft capital - a steep price for a player who, while talented, hasn’t quite proven he can carry an offense on his own.
If we’re talking about someone in the tier of Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, or even A.J. Brown, then sure, you consider paying that kind of price. But Waddle, as good as he is, hasn’t reached that echelon yet.
The Bills absolutely need help at wide receiver. That’s not up for debate. But mortgaging future assets and cap flexibility for a player who may not be a true WR1 - and who comes with a massive financial commitment - doesn’t look like the smartest play.
Instead, Buffalo would be wise to keep its eyes on the NFL Draft or wait for a bigger name to shake loose. There’s a difference between being aggressive and being reckless, and the Bills can’t afford to blur that line in what could be a make-or-break stretch for this current core.
Waddle’s a fun player. He’s fast, productive, and still has upside. But at that price - both in terms of trade capital and contract - he’s not the answer Buffalo needs right now.