Checking Out the Media and Fan Reaction (and Grades) for Waddle Trade

The Miami Dolphins’ trade of Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos received mostly positive reviews from the national media, but fans weren’t particularly excited to see that a homegrown playmaker was headed out the door.

Miami sent Waddle and a fourth-round pick to Denver for first-, third-, and fourth-round picks in the upcoming NFL draft.

“You look at Waddle’s production over the last couple of years, you consider what the new GM and the new head coach are thinking about the future of the team, and they decide this is the moment to move forward,” ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio said. “The Broncos are the perfect destination for Waddle. They got Courtland Sutton and beyond that, who's the guy that's really providing a high-end option for Bo Nix as he enters year three of his career, so it's a win-win…”

“We'll see how it plays out, but the Dolphins are going to look very different in 2026.”

Waddle, 27, started 16 games last season and finished the year with 64 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged a league-high 18.1 yards per reception in 2022, but hasn’t reached 1,000 receiving yards in a season since 2023.

“I’m not a huge Waddle guy; whatever the consensus is on Waddle, I’m maybe right at it or slightly below, but this felt fair to me,” NFL Daily host Gregg Rosenthal said. “Waddle is a tough one because he’s only 27 years old. You’re hoping to be in the playoffs, if you’re a new coach and GM by year three, so that’s 2029.

“He still would be young enough at that point… and I do think it’s harder ultimately to find plus plus starters like Waddle than it is to find the draft picks, but I think ultimately they got a fair price for him.”

While Waddle was the top playmaker in a position group that was already light on talent entering the offseason, the move reflects Sullivan and the Dolphins front office’s commitment to rebuilding through the draft.

The Dolphins have traded away some valuable assets and gotten out of some bad contracts in the past 6 months. Time to hit on the picks in 2026, compete (but not win too much) and then hit on picks again in 2027 before truly contending.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 17, 2026

Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan comes from the Packers tree. They’ve excelled at finding WRs on Day 2. Miami has five draft picks on Day 2. They’ll likely take multiple swings there.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 17, 2026

Grading the Trade

Here is how some national media members graded the trade:

Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: A -

Analysis: As for the Dolphins, this is an easy deal to make. Waddle is fabulous, but Miami is in a complete rebuild under first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. Getting a pair of top-100 picks and a fourth-rounder should help that process along, giving the Dolphins future cap flexibility while also gaining draft capital. And, of course, Miami is likely going to have a very high draft pick in 2027, when a generational quarterback class becomes available.

Carter Bahns, CBS Sports: B +

Analysis: The sale continues in Miami, where Waddle becomes the latest big-name player to depart from a franchise undergoing a complete reset. Waddle is out along with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick as the Dolphins move on from their longtime core and seek to acquire as much in return as possible.

The package of draft picks heading to Miami from this deal makes the Dolphins one of five NFL teams to boast two first-round picks this year, and they now hold seven picks in the first three rounds. This will be a youthful roster in 2026, albeit one that should not be expected to stack wins. If the Dolphins continue to embrace the rebuild and go full tank mode, the Waddle trade will age even finer.

One minor detraction, though, is that the Broncos were one of the worst possible trade partners in terms of maximizing draft capital. Their No. 30 overall pick is, of course, at the back end of the first round. Still, it is a first-rounder nonetheless, and one the Dolphins will be happy to use.

Chris Cwik, Yahoo Sports: C

Analysis: It’s a move that leaves the Dolphins’ offense mostly bereft of talent. Star running back De’Von Achane is still around … but he should also be a trade candidate considering he’s entering the final year of his contract. Things could get worse in Miami before they get better.

That’s not exactly an encouraging sign for new quarterback Malik Willis. The Dolphins decided to go all-in on the Green Bay Packers this offseason, bringing in general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, head coach Jeff Hafley, and Willis from the franchise.

While the 26-year-old Willis showed flashes in limited playing time, he’s started just six games in his four-year NFL career. With the Waddle trade, the Dolphins aren’t exactly giving Willis much help as he prepares to be a starter for the first time in his career.

The Dolphins can — and almost certainly will — use their draft picks to give Willis more weapons. Whether any of those players can replace Waddle — at least immediately — could be a tough task.

Jeff Howe, The Athletic: Long Term A+ / Short Term F

Analysis: The Dolphins appear to be operating under two timelines, and that’s where teams get into trouble. It’s a huge gamble — perhaps even reckless — to sign an unproven quarterback like Malik Willis with six career starts and expect him to perform well amid so much chaos.

And let’s not forget, the Dolphins have a rookie general manager with Jon-Eric Sullivan and a first-time NFL head coach in Jeff Hafley. Essentially, the three most important members of the organization have never handled these roles before, and now they’re all in the fire together.

The Dolphins are not putting Willis in the best possible position to succeed. Even the most proven QBs need help, and Willis is almost certainly set up to encounter struggles like he’s never faced in his career. It’s a dangerous game, and it could rock Willis’s long-term confidence — it’s not all that different from starting a first-round pick too early on a bad team.

How The Trade Impacts Malik Willis

Moving on from Waddle follows the same thought process as releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, fullback Alec Ingold, and linebacker Bradley Chubb — the new front office wants a complete roster reset.

However, the decision to sign quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year contract on the first day of free agency led some to believe that Waddle would remain in Miami’s long-term plans.

Some wonder what will happen to Miami’s new starting quarterback with Waddle no longer in the picture:

Did Malik Willis know this was happening? This is arguably the worst roster in the NFL now, and he has one year to prevent a 2027 1st Round QB from ending his stint.

He's throwing to Malik Washington, TuTu Atwell, and Josh Norris this year!
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) March 17, 2026

malik willis next season pic.twitter.com/A6asx2NYrC
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) March 17, 2026

After the Dolphins tanked their roster last week I was confused about the Malik Willis signing, but I think the timeline does make sense even with the Waddle trade.

Hafley surely wanted a QB he had familiarity with for many reasons as a first-time HC. Willis signed with barely…
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 17, 2026

Dolphins really poised to build (through the draft) around a QB. By the time they have structure, they should know if Malik Willis is/is not their long-time starter. Can’t hate on the process - they just have to hit on player acquisition.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 17, 2026

Fan Reaction to Trading Waddle

While the decision to move on from Waddle makes perfect sense, some fans wanted to see some homegrown talent stick through the regime change.

so i was genuinely sad that Tua era was over but it was a long period of coming to terms with it and then he was finally released

waddle was a surprise and i'm SO UPSET

but i get it pic.twitter.com/EN8NWFqeJl
— Evan (@evaneleven77) March 17, 2026

Jaylen Waddle traded to the Broncos!!!!!!!

I hate to see you go, Jaylen. But thank you for your time with the Miami Dolphins and good luck to you!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/lcCsJOmCEn
— Big E (@ian693) March 17, 2026

That trade is certified highway robbery by the fins but I’m distraught seeing waddle go 😞
— tiff’s tower of terror (@terribletiffy12) March 17, 2026

Waddle was targeted at least 100 times in four of his five seasons in Miami. He became the first player in franchise history to record 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons, and his 104 receptions in 2021 are the most by a rookie in team history.

This Waddle trade is exactly the kind of move this franchise needs to be making

Get good value for your players and accumulate assets

Would imagine the dolphins will be taking at least one WR in the draft
— Christian Cirilo (@BigIdiotHeatGuy) March 17, 2026