In retrospect, the Denver Broncos may have won the 1st round of the NFL draft without even making a pick.
After the 1st round shook out, the Broncos looked like geniuses after their No. 30 overall pick in the 1st round — originally traded to the Miami Dolphins — ended up becoming Indiana University wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. going to the Tennessee Titans.
In return, the Broncos received 1 of the NFL’s best wide receivers in Jaylen Waddle.
So, a rookie wide receiver, straight up, for a proven, elite playmaker?
“Broncos get Jaylen Waddle with their first-round pick,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on his official X account after the 1st round on Thursday night. “With the Broncos original first-round pick, WR Omar Cooper Jr goes. Broncos get an experienced WR instead of a rookie. An all-in move … with their first-round pick, the Broncos got a proven NFL receiver that averages over 1,000-yards per season and is only 27 years old.”
“It’s weird when you trade Jaylen Waddle for (the 30th pick) and then you see all the receivers that are going to be available at 30 and their best case scenario is maybe they will be as good as Waddle,” The Ringer’s Bill Simmons said on Wednesday.
Broncos May Have Swung Biggest Trade of Offseason
The Broncos may have pulled off what could be the biggest move of the NFL offseason when they traded for Waddle.
“Broncos are trading for Miami WR Jaylen Waddle, per source,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on Tuesday morning. “Denver receives: Waddle and Dolphins’ 4th-round pick (11th in round) in this year’s draft. Miami receives: Broncos’ 1st round pick (30th overall) along with their late 3rd and 4th round picks (30th in each round) in this year’s draft.”
It’s a seismic move for the Broncos, who addressed their biggest offseason concern by trading for Waddle.
“I absolutely love this for Denver,” ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said the day of the trade. ” … (the Broncos) needed a true wide receiver with speed, and there’s Jaylen Waddle. Huge pickup for Denver.”
Broncos Weren’t Big Players in Free Agency
Denver had been criticized for being the only team not to sign any outside free agents through the 1st week of NFL free agency.
“Splash: The Broncos are pulling off a post-free agency blockbuster by trading for Dolphins star WR Jaylen Waddle,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “Premium draft pick compensation is headed to Miami. The two teams started talking last year at the trade deadline and kept working. Now, a deal.”
The Broncos’ biggest moves in terms of free agency were bringing back a trio of starters for 2026 by re-signing running back J.K. Dobbins, inside linebacker Alex Singleton, and inside linebacker Justin Strnad.
Waddle has been one of the NFL’s best wide receivers since his rookie season and signed a 3-year, $84.75 million contract extension in March 2024. In 5 NFL seasons, Waddle has had over 1,000 receiving yards 3 times, including 75 receptions for a career high 1,356 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in 2022.
In 2025, Waddle had 64 receptions for 910 yards and 6 touchdowns in 16 games.
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