How Dolphins hurt Patriots' pursuit of AJ Brown with Jaylen Waddle trade

The Miami Dolphins pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos after the first week of the new league year, sending Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are landing a first-rounder, third-rounder, and a fourth-round pick swap in exchange for Waddle.

That blockbuster deal will have ripple effects around the league, but especially for the New England Patriots. As Jimmy Kempski of The Philadelphia Inquirer noted, the Dolphins' return for Waddle likely means the Philadelphia Eagles will ask for A.J. Brown.

Dolphins hurt Patriots with Jaylen Waddle trade

"Equivalent of roughly the 24th overall pick if you add it all up on the draft value chart," Kempski posted in response to the return the Dolphins got for Waddle. "A.J. Brown is obviously a much better player."

While Waddle is a star receiver, he has not earned Pro Bowl or any All-Pro honors in his five-year NFL career. He's put up 5,029 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in his career so far, good for 81 receptions for 1,098 yards and six touchdowns per-year.

Brown, on the other hand, while 28 years old to Waddle's 27, is a much more productive receiver. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time second-team All-Pro in his seven-year NFL career.

So far in his career, Brown has 8,029 receiving yards and 56 touchdowns on 524 receptions. His season average comes to 1,300 yards, nine touchdowns on 85 receptions.

More: Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets for late round pick

Compared to Waddle, Brown is the far more efficient wide receiver, and is only one year older than the player the Dolphins just got a first and third rounder for.

The Patriots, who've been strongly linked to Brown throughout the entire offseason, are now going to have to offer much more than a first-rounder to acquire Brown in a deal.

Howie Roseman and the Eagles won't accept a low-ball offer for Brown, a player they don't have to trade. If the Patriots want Brown, they will likely have to give up at least the same offer the Dolphins got from the Broncos.

While, at times, there has been a notion that the Patriots might not have to part with much to land Brown, this Waddle trade has hurt the Patriots' chances of acquiring the Eagles' All-Pro WR for anything less than what Waddle went for.

More Dolphins news:

• De'Von Achane expected to have extension talks with Dolphins
• Tua Tagovailoa is big winner of free agency after joining Falcons
• Tua Tagovailoa quickly picked Falcons after release from Dolphins
• Dolphins agree to $67.5 million deal with Malik Willis
• Tua Tagovailoa will have $60+ million cap hit for Dolphins in 2026