Broncos Player Profile: Jaylen Waddle

The Denver Broncos didn’t make any big moves in free agency. Still, they added another weapon for quarterback Bo Nix on offense after the team traded its 2026 first-, third-, and fourth-round draft picks to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle on March 18. Here’s more information on Denver’s latest addition to its offense. 

Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas) — Class of 2018

Waddle, a native of Houston, Texas, played high school football at Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas, and played in three Southwest Preparatory Conference championship games, winning one during his sophomore year. 

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound wide receiver was a four-star recruit and one of the top-ten players in Texas in his graduating class. Waddle played in the U.S. Army All-American Game and earned a nomination for Army Player of the Year in his senior season, and was also the Touchdown Club of Houston Private Player of the Year. 

Alabama (2018-2020)

Waddle chose Alabama and played for Nick Saban. In his first season with the Crimson Tide, Waddle caught 45 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 18.8 yards per catch. 

The following season, Waddle wasn’t as productive but still averaged 17 yards per catch, while also hauling in 33 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns. 

In his final season with Alabama, Waddle had his fewest catches but remained effective every time the ball touched his hands, catching 28 receptions for 591 yards and averaging 21.1 yards per catch.

Waddle also excelled on special teams, returning 38 punts for 733 yards and two touchdowns during his three seasons with the Crimson Tide, while also leading the NCAA in punt return yards and average in 2019. 

Miami Dolphins (2021-2025)

The Dolphins drafted Waddle sixth overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, reuniting him with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whom Waddle played alongside at Alabama. 

Before Miami traded him to Denver, Waddle spent five seasons with the Dolphins, starting in 78 games and catching 373 passes for 5,039 yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per catch during the first stage of his NFL career. 

The Broncos have a lot of depth at wide receiver, as Waddle will play alongside Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Michael Bandy. 

Waddle can help bring leadership to Denver as he’s a veteran and may be the missing piece the Broncos lacked last season, as he has the opportunity to catch passes from Nix efficiently, something the team’s receiving corps struggled to do.