Dolphins criticized by NFL exec for return from Broncos in Jaylen Waddle trade

The Miami Dolphins have been reshuffling their entire roster this offseason, with a ton of key veterans from years past now gone after cuts and trades.

While most were expected, the Jaylen Waddle trade with the Denver Broncos was a bit of a surprise. He'd been rumored to be on the market, but rumors died down a little before the trade was reported.

Miami got a first and a third from the Broncos, but according to one NFL executive in a piece from The Athletic's Mike Sando, the Dolphins didn't get enough in return for Waddle.

Dolphins criticized for Jaylen Waddle trade return

"And then I don't think they got enough for Waddle," this NFL executive said. "They got the equivalent of the 25th pick in the draft. It should have been a lot more."

Miami landed the 30th pick from the Broncos along with a late third-round pick in exchange for Waddle and a fourth-round pick swap.

Denver is landing a top receiver in Waddle, while the Dolphins are getting a few valuable picks. But this NFL executive believes Miami should've gotten more from the Broncos.

The Chicago Bears got a second-round pick for DJ Moore, and the AJ Brown trade rumors have fluctuated around a first-round pick plus-or-minus some value.

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Getting more value for Waddle in a trade with the Broncos would've been interesting. Maybe they acquire an extra Day 3 draft pick, or a 2027 third-rounder.

But another interesting angle could've been the acquisition of one of the Broncos' wide receivers in Troy Franklin or Marvin Mims, both of whom will see a lot less work with Waddle in Denver.

It's not a bad trade for the Dolphins by any means, as a first-round pick is a valuable selection and the late-third isn't a bad pick either. But this NFL exec believes there was meat left on the bone in this deal.

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• Dolphins 'ideal' first round involves zero WRs, instead two defensive backs
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• Dolphins linked to Stefon Diggs as possible Jaylen Waddle replacement