Waddle (muscle tightness) expected to be fine

Parsing injury language is always tricky, but when Payton said Waddle was experiencing muscle tightness, a strain made sense. The tissue was reacting to something. Waddle did not practice on Thursday and was seen limping while wearing a sleeve on his left leg. The fact that the team thinks he can return in just under a week from yesterday’s injury is good to hear. Week 1 is still a month away, so we like his odds of suiting up. The injury might end up costing him preseason game reps, though. We expect the team to be cautious with their star wide receiver.

We had hoped to see Waddle get in a limited session today, after coach Sean Payton downplayed Waddle’s injury on Wednesday. Evidently, he needed at least one day off. The Broncos practiced in pads for three days straight before going padless today. If Waddle has to miss a session, we suppose a padless walkthrough day is the ideal one to miss. Hopefully, we see him back in action in some capacity before long.

Broncos OC Davis Webb will add elements to Denver’s offense this season. Last year, the Broncos attempted the sixth-fewest (51) passes thrown 10-plus yards downfield and between the painted numbers. For reference, the league-leading Lions attempted 102 passes in this area of the field. Evans did not provide an average target depth in today’s report, but we are pleased to hear Webb is focusing on the middle of the field, regardless. Passes thrown in this area give the pass catcher more room to work, both before and after the catch, which helps them score fantasy points. Even a moderate increase in targets thrown to this area of the field would be great for QB Bo Nix and his pass catchers, like WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Courtland Sutton.

Astute readers might notice that Evans did not put the Broncos’ longtime WR1, Courtland Sutton, on that list. The cost to acquire Waddle from the Dolphins was not cheap, so anointing Waddle as the WR1 makes sense. The former Dolphin spent his career in Miami playing sidekick to WR Tyreek Hill, so it was fair to wonder if he might be slated for a WR2 role in Denver as well. If anything, this could be a 1A/1B situation, with Waddle operating as the 1A. Regardless, Sutton appears unbothered by Waddle’s presence, saying the Broncos’ offense is comprised of “guys that are willing to put their pride aside,” and celebrated the importance of selflessness. Waddle profiles as a WR2 while Sutton is perhaps best viewed in the WR3/FLEX tier.

This reinforces previous reports that Nix would be ready to take the practice field for the start of organized team activities, which are set to begin 2 June for the Broncos. That places the young quarterback well ahead of schedule following a broken ankle suffered in the team’s Divisional Round win last season. Nix being able to get additional practice reps before games matter is a big boost to the fantasy value of newcomer wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who arrived with the team via trade with the Dolphins earlier in the offseason. Head coach Sean Payton added, “We’re going to be the ones kind of holding back, if you will.”

Payton added the Broncos will have “speed packages” for Waddle in the 2026 playbook. Acquired via trade this month, Waddle was used primarily as a slot wideout in his first couple seasons with the Dolphins before splitting snaps between the slot and boundary in 2024 and 2025 under Mike McDaniel. Waddle’s efficiency from the slot fell off in 2025 along with Miami’s offensive production. Bo Nix, meanwhile, ranked 27th out of 40 qualifying QBs last season in adjusted yards per attempt on throws to slot receivers. Nix ranked 29th in accuracy on slot attempts.

Mims made a guest appearance on Altitude TV, a regional sports network, and was asked for his thoughts on the Broncos’ recent trade for Waddle. Mims celebrated Waddle’s explosive play-making ability, but admitted that he was “really surprised” to learn of the deal. Although Waddle is far more accomplished, the two players share similar, shifty playing styles and excel after the catch. Mims closed the segment by saying that he has taken pride in being able to “play running back, be a returner, be a receiver” and is happy to affect the game however possible. Mims, 24, has flashed intriguing traits throughout his three-year career, though he has not yet broken out as a reliable starter. With Waddle in town, Mims will likely remain stuck in a versatile, albeit fantasy-unfriendly, backup role.

The Dolphins had spent the past month halfheartedly denying Waddle was available via trade during the team’s tear-down rebuild. The Broncos had to part with premium draft picks to acquire Waddle in a move that boosts the otherwise ordinary Denver receiving room. Waddle, who frequently struggled with injuries, has just 122 receptions for 1,654 yards over the past two seasons in a run-first Miami offense. The trade leaves Tutu Atwell as the Dolphins’ top wideout for now. Last year Waddle, 27, averaged 56.9 receiving yards per game, leading the Dolphins with a 41 percent air yards share and a 22 percent target share. In Denver he’ll join an offense that last year ranked fourth in pass attempts and 11th in passing yards. While Waddle could emerge as the team’s de facto No. 1 wideout, Courtland Sutton could retain that role thanks to his chemistry with Bo Nix.

Sullivan spoke with reporters at the NFL Combine and didn’t exactly quash rumors that the Dolphins could part with one or both of their best players in a potential tear-down rebuild of the team. That rebuild — whatever it looks like — will certainly include parting ways with QB Tua Tagovailoa. One of the most explosive, efficient backs in the NFL, Achane could fetch a haul of draft picks if Miami moves on from him in the coming months. Waddle, meanwhile, profiles as a solid No. 2 receiver with a long history of injuries.

Kaboly went as far as saying the Steelers believed they had a deal done for Waddle before last season’s trade deadline. While adding another wide receiver to go along with D.K. Metcalf seems to be a priority for the Steelers, it ultimately takes two teams to make a trade. Pittsburgh’s pursuit of Waddle before last year’s trade deadline came up short and NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported on Friday that the Dolphins aren’t interested in trading Waddle this offseason. That could also be posturing by the Dolphins to get better trade offers. If truly available, Waddle will be one of the big names to watch at the NFL Combine next week.