Waddle to the Broncos: Is he the ideal signing to boost Bo Nix?

The Denver Broncos Bolster Their Offense with the Acquisition of Jaylen Waddle

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle joins the Denver Broncos, responding to offensive tackle Garett Bolles’ request to add more key players to the team. The Broncos finalized the trade with the Miami Dolphins, sending first, third, and fourth-round draft picks from April’s draft in exchange for Waddle and a fourth-round pick. Waddle is expected to undergo a physical examination on Wednesday to formalize the agreement. His arrival could be key to complementing the Broncos’ attack and quarterback Bo Nix’s tendencies. Waddle, who arrives with three years remaining from an extension signed in 2024, with $32.2 million guaranteed in the next two years, has proven to be a standout player in the league.

We need a couple more players and the sky is the limit.

Garett Bolles

In the last five seasons, Waddle has accumulated three seasons of over 1,000 yards, surpassing any Broncos player in the same period. In 2022, he led the league with 18.1 yards per reception, with 75 receptions for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns. The Broncos pursued Waddle before last season’s trade deadline and renewed their interest at last month’s combine. Now, it’s the most significant change to the roster since last season, after Denver focused on re-signing their own players in the first week of free agency. Waddle’s skills in catching and running in intermediate and deep areas of the field are expected to be well-received by Nix. Nix, who led the NFL in pass attempts with 612, had a completion percentage of 38.7% on passes of 20 or more yards and an overall completion percentage of 63.4%, ranking 24th in the league. Nix’s strongest areas were hook routes, pivot routes, and crossing routes, where Waddle, with his speed, can improve Nix’s performance. Last season, Waddle ranked 11th in the league in yards per route run (2.34), surpassing the Broncos’ highest-ranked receiver, Courtland Sutton (1.75). On crossing routes, Waddle was 10th in the league with 3.0 receiving yards per crossing route.

Image description: Stephen A. Smith reacts to the Broncos’ trade for Jaylen Waddle and reflects on the Bills’ failed pursuit of the receiver. The presence of Waddle could decrease the attention of the defenses towards Sutton, who received more attention due to injuries in the Broncos’ receiver rotation. Broncos coach Sean Payton expressed his satisfaction with the depth of the receivers, which includes Sutton and several players selected in recent drafts, such as Franklin, Bryant, and Mims Jr. Payton, however, was not happy with the number of passes that were dropped and replaced wide receivers coach Keary Colbert with Ronald Curry. The arrival of Waddle suggests another season with three-receiver formations, which could affect Mims’ playing time. The Broncos were seventh in the league in plays with three-receiver formations last season, with 63% of their plays in these formations. Payton and new offensive coordinator Davis Webb will have the opportunity to integrate Waddle into the offseason adjustments. Payton has indicated that Webb will be in charge of the plays this season, in part to speed up the pace of the offense. The Broncos only achieved one first down in the second half of their loss to the Patriots, and their longest drive after halftime was 17 yards. Payton fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who had been on Payton’s staff for 15 years, two days after the season ended. The incorporation of Waddle could be a boost for the team.