Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Broncos QB Bo Nix should be biggest winner in Jaylen Waddle trade

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 3:07 PM ET

Since the Denver Broncos selected quarterback Bo Nix with pick No. 12 in the 2024 NFL Draft, he has served as the team's primary passer and runner.

After breaking his right ankle on the third-to-last play of a 33-30 AFC divisional-round overtime win over the Buffalo Bills last season, it became even more apparent that Nix could no longer handle both responsibilities. Denver acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday could help ensure the 26-year-old QB no longer has to juggle them.

Why Bo Nix is biggest beneficiary in Jaylen Waddle trade

The Broncos sent a 2026 first-, third- and fourth-rounder to the Dolphins for Waddle and a 2026 fourth-rounder. That's a lot for a wideout who has yet to earn a first- or second-team All-Pro nod and hasn't made a Pro Bowl.

However, it will be worth the risk if he makes Denver's passing attack more productive, which he certainly could. Waddle logged 910 receiving yards in 16 games in 2025 with Miami starting QBs Tua Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers. Broncos WR Courtland Sutton, meanwhile, led the team in receiving yards (1,017 in 17 games), while Troy Franklin ranked second (709 in 17 games).

Breaking: Dolphins are trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, per @AdamSchefter

DEN receives: Waddle and a 4th-RD pick

MIA receives: 1st-RD pick (30th overall), 3rd-RD pick, & a 4th-RD pick pic.twitter.com/PEBFcWIN67
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 17, 2026

A deeper receiving corps should mean more open targets for Nix, which should leave him running less next season. Denver wants that, especially with the QB coming off the injury.

Pro Football Focus credited Nix with 38 scrambles last season (including playoffs), tied for the ninth most in the league. Unlike designed runs, scrambles occur on passing plays.

When you factor in all runs, the numbers become even more eye-popping. Per StatMuse, Nix led the Broncos in carries (175), rushing yards (786) and rushing touchdowns (nine) over the past two seasons.

Nix's athleticism is one reason he helped the Broncos win their first AFC West crown since 2015 last season. Over the course of his career, though, he'll lose some of it and must become more of a pocket passer.

To do that, Nix needs pass-catchers who get open consistently. Waddle's suited for that role.

Per SumerSports, in 2025, Waddle ranked 15th among 196 eligible WRs in yards per route run (2.28). (Yards per route run divides the number of receiving yards by the number of routes a player ran to measure his efficiency better.) Waddle has averaged 2.28 YPRR since 2022.

The Broncos spent a lot on Waddle, but the move will pay off if it benefits Nix. The QB could become an even more prolific passer, giving Denver a better chance of winning its fourth Super Bowl in 2026.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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