Broncos GM teases possible draft trade plan after Jaylen Waddle deal

The Denver Broncos came out of the 2025 NFL season with a lot of optimism for their Super Bowl chances in 2026, and addressed their biggest need by trading a first and a third for Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins.

It was a lot to spend on one player, but for the Broncos, they now have a great wide receiver room and will give Bo Nix as good weapons as any quarterback has around the NFL. Now their earliest pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is 62nd overall.

With such a late pick being their first selection, according to Luca Evans of The Denver Post, general manager George Paton teased a possible trade plan that could make for a fun draft-night deal for Denver to move up to land a player they have their eyes on.

Broncos GM teases draft trade that would be very fun

"On Broncos' draft-strategy post-Waddle: GM George Paton said this AM that Denver was 'focused on' pick No. 62," Evans reports. "They have a good feel for drafting there. Mims at No. 63 in '23. Nik Bonitto at No. 64 in '22. Paton also said: 'Doesn't mean we won't trade up at some point.'"

The Broncos spent their 30th overall draft pick on Waddle, and now will have their first pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft come in Round 2 at pick No. 62.

While they have had success with picks in that range, the Broncos might also be looking to swing a trade to move up in the draft if a player they like makes it within striking distance.

They gave up their third-round pick, so the Broncos would need to tap into their Day 3 picks and future draft capital if they want to move up in the draft.

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Denver could also get creative, using one of their wide receivers, Troy Franklin or Marvin Mims, to help move up in the draft to land a player they want.

Paton is teasing a possible draft-night trade-up, though such a deal likely wouldn't be into the first round on Day 1 of the draft. Instead, the Broncos are more likely to move up from No. 62 into the 50's for a player they don't want to go ahead of them.

A trade-up would be a fun move for the Broncos, as long as they don't overpay to do so. The Broncos will have some options in Round 2, and potentially a few worth trading up for as Paton mulls an aggressive draft night move for Denver.

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