The Denver Broncos are heading into the 2026 offseason with a clear to-do list - and wide receiver is right at the top. Even after investing heavily in offensive playmakers last year, the needs at WR, RB, and TE haven’t gone away.
The difference this time around? The Broncos are in a much stronger position to do something about it.
With Russell Wilson’s contract officially off the books, Denver suddenly has breathing room under the salary cap. Add in the possibility of extra draft capital, and general manager George Paton has the kind of flexibility that contenders dream about.
There’s no reason for the Broncos to play it safe. This is a team that should be aggressive - especially if they believe Bo Nix is the long-term answer under center.
If the front office is serious about surrounding Nix with the right weapons, then it’s time to swing big. And one name that makes a lot of sense? Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle Would Be a Game-Changer in Denver
Let’s start with the basics: Jaylen Waddle is one of the league’s most explosive receivers. His speed is game-breaking, his route-running is refined, and when healthy, he’s a nightmare for defenses. Through five NFL seasons, Waddle has racked up 373 receptions, 5,039 yards, and 26 touchdowns - and that’s while sharing the field with Tyreek Hill and dealing with inconsistent quarterback play.
His best season came in 2022, when he posted 75 catches for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns. That’s WR1 production, plain and simple. And even though his numbers dipped the past two years (1,654 yards combined), the talent hasn’t disappeared - the situation around him just changed.
What makes Waddle even more appealing is his contract. He’s owed $68.6 million over the next three seasons, which comes out to about $22.9 million per year.
In today’s wide receiver market, that’s a bargain for a true No. 1 option. For a team like Denver, which has cleared cap space and needs a dynamic playmaker, this is the kind of deal that makes financial and football sense.
Why Waddle Fits the Broncos’ Offense
Right now, Courtland Sutton is the de facto WR1 in Denver. He’s a reliable target and a strong red zone presence, but he’s best suited as a complementary piece - a big-bodied No. 2 who can thrive when defenses aren’t keying on him. Adding Waddle would allow Sutton to slide into a more natural role, where he can do damage without carrying the full weight of the passing game.
It would also open things up for younger receivers like Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant. With Waddle drawing top coverage and stretching the field vertically, those guys would have more room to operate underneath and in space. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t just improve the top of the depth chart - it elevates the entire unit.
And let’s not forget Waddle’s efficiency. He has a career passer rating of 96.9 when targeted.
That’s not just solid - that’s elite. He’s the kind of receiver who makes quarterbacks look better, and that’s exactly what Bo Nix needs as he develops in Sean Payton’s system.
What Would It Take to Get Him?
If the Dolphins are even remotely open to moving Waddle, the Broncos should be first in line. Miami’s WR depth behind Waddle and Hill is thin, and Waddle’s team-friendly deal gives them leverage in any potential trade talks. But Denver has a valuable chip: the 30th overall pick in the first round.
That pick alone could be enough to get a deal done - or at least be the centerpiece of a trade package. And for a player of Waddle’s caliber, it’s a price worth paying.
He’s not a project or a gamble. He’s a proven producer who would instantly become the most dangerous weapon on the Broncos’ offense.
The Bottom Line
The Broncos have the cap space, the draft capital, and the urgency to make a splash. They’ve got a promising young quarterback who needs weapons, and a roster that’s quietly built a solid foundation. The missing piece is a true No. 1 wide receiver - someone who can tilt the field and change the way defenses game-plan.
Jaylen Waddle fits that mold. He’s fast, productive, efficient, and still ascending.
If Denver wants to take the next step, this is the kind of move that makes it possible. The opportunity is there.
Now it’s up to the Broncos to make it happen.