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Jaylen Waddle trade revisited: Bo Nix, Broncos struggling to integrate speedy WR who's also dropping passes

In Bo Nix’s preseason debut – his first snap after a broken ankle – he connected with Jaylen Waddle on a vertical route for a 35‑yard gain, prompting a loud reaction from the Denver crowd. The Broncos hoped Waddle’s speed would add the explosiveness missing from a unit that ranked 27th last season in average depth of target, where the league average was 7.4 yards and Waddle posted 13.1 yards.

The offseason trade sent Waddle and a 2026 fourth‑round pick to Denver in exchange for a 2026 first‑rounder, a third‑rounder and another fourth‑rounder. Early in the regular season Waddle has been underutilized, recording just four catches for 24 yards, and after six games he totals 22 receptions.

His 14.1 yards per catch this year exceeds the output of most Denver receivers, with only Courtland Sutton averaging above 11 yards per catch.

The trade was part of Miami’s broader roster overhaul that included releasing Tyreek Hill, Tua Tagovailoa and Bradley Chubb, positioning Denver as the intended new home for the former Dolphins star. Despite the initial excitement, the Broncos’ passing attack has struggled to integrate Waddle effectively, and both the quarterback‑receiver duo and the overall offense have yet to meet the high expectations set by the deal.

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