Broncos GM George Paton provides first comments on Jaylen Waddle trade

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton is excited for the possibilities wide receiver Jaylen Waddle brings to the table.

At the NFL's annual league meeting in Phoenix on Monday, Paton gave his first public comments on the blockbuster trade that brought the former Miami Dolphins receiver to Denver.

"(Waddle) is one of the more explosive players in the league,’’ Paton said in an interview with 9News reporter Mike Klis. In a separate media availability, Paton was not shy in previewing Waddle's playmaking ability. "We have a great (wide receiver) room and (Waddle) just upgrades — or he just helps the room. He opens up the run game, and he will open it up for the other receivers, so we think he will fit in well with the group.”

Waddle came to Denver at a steep price: a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall) and a 2026 third-round selection (the Broncos and Dolphins also swapped fourth-round picks, but that improved Denver's selection).

Waddle gives the Broncos a bona fide threat to worry about, and take pressure off of Courtland Sutton, who had several double-teams throughout 2025. Waddle being on the field could also unleash the likes of J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey in the rushing attack, always worrying secondaries on whether they should cover or play the run.

Broncos GM George Paton on the Waddle trade pic.twitter.com/lnfEQuIoVp— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 30, 2026

Paton also spoke about how the trade materialized. Denver had interest in Waddle at the 2025 trade deadline, but the deal couldn't get done. Things began to change after Miami got a new head coach and general manager ahead of free agency in 2026.

"We got through our offseason process with our roster and then free agent meetings," Paton said. "At the combine, we hadn’t talked yet. Then, when we got back from the combine, we reached out to [Dolphins GM] Jon-Eric [Sullivan] and it kind of started from there. Obviously, we did a lot of work on him. All of the coaches did [and] the scouts. We had done a lot of work at the (2025) trade deadline, and we felt like we knew the player well and we knew the person even better. We feel really good about the trade.”

Waddle may be just part of the reason all eyes are on the Broncos ahead of the 2026 season, but his explosiveness brings an element quarterback Bo Nix hasn't had before. The offseason clock continues to tick towards the start of the season, and the Broncos believe they are ready for what's to come.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: George Paton comments on Jaylen Waddle trade