Sean Payton’s influence on the Denver Broncos roster is clear, and their blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins for Jaylen Waddle not only underscored that point but also seems to have already proven a prudent decision.
Denver now heads into the 2026 offseason program with few, if any, roster holes. This is after reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2025.
Perhaps that explains some of their decisions in the draft, which were quite polarizing.
Broncos Vindicated Over Jaylen Waddle Trade
GettyJaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during warmups before a game against the Buffalo Bills.
An unnamed executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando that the Broncos “draft for them,” pointing to Payton’s influence. He also said it is difficult to “criticize” the approach as long as the Broncos keep winning, and their trade for Waddle should help that.
“When we played them, I thought they were a really well-coached team, but I did not feel they were overly talented on the offensive side,” another unnamed exec said, per Sando on May 1.
A third, but yet again unnamed, exec said it was a “Very smart move.”
According to Sando, at least some of the executives that he spoke with for the article said that they would take Waddle, even as he begins his three-year, $84.7 million contract that will keep him under team control through the 2028 season.
Waddle, who turns 28 in November, had 64 receptions for 910 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025.
He began his career with three straight 1,000-yard campaigns. He also led the NFL in yards per reception in 2022.
Broncos Chose Proven Option Over Gambling on Rookie
GettyThe New York Jets selected Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with the 30th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, which was originally owned by the Denver Broncos.
The New York Jets acquired the first-round pick that the Broncos traded to the Dolphins for Waddle on Day 1 of the draft.
New York used that selection on Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver and national champion Omar Cooper Jr. Cooper is talented. He would have faced some skill set redundancy if he landed with the Broncos in the draft, though.
Waddle adds a proven deep threat to a team that was within 4 points of a Super Bowl berth.
That was despite not having starting quarterback Bo Nix in the AFC Championship Game. He suffered an ankle injury that required surgery.
Nix is expected to be ready to go for the upcoming season. That is true even after undergoing a second procedure that has caused a significant stir. If so, and Waddle avoids any setbacks, the Broncos’ offense should be more explosive, if not generally better, in 2026 than it was in 2025.
Broncos’ Draft Underwhelms Amid Limited Assets
GettyKage Casey is one of the few draft picks the Denver Broncos made to receive high marks.
Payton and the Broncos were light on draft capital, thanks largely to their trade for Waddle. It left them without a first-round selection. They could have used that to trade down for additional picks beyond Day 1.
Their first selection was defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim in Round 3.
“I didn’t love those names (of Denver picks),” said the executive who previously noted the Broncos’ self-serving draft habits. “I can see the Boise State tackle (Kage Casey) because he very much fits their scheme as an athletic zone guy who can play some guard and has even snapped a little.”
Waddle’s success on the field this year will ultimately be used to grade the Broncos’ 2026 offseason after such an impactful trade.
Broncos Get Clear Message About Blockbuster Trade for $84 Million Star