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Broncos Defend Jaylen Waddle Trade as Draft Priorities Narrow

Denver now must hit on Day 2 to address the middle of its defense or add a pass-catching tight end.

Overview

  • Denver’s deal for Jaylen Waddle cost a first- and third-round pick plus a fourth-round swap, leaving seven selections with the first at No. 62.
  • Sean Payton said the team tunes out outside angst and rejects the idea it is “running it back,” while GM George Paton and CEO Greg Penner called Waddle an opportunistic upgrade.
  • Draft guides across outlets point to inside linebacker, interior defensive line, and tight end as the most pressing needs given the reduced draft capital.
  • Analysts single out Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers as a smart Round 2 target because Evan Engram underperformed last season and is nearing the end of his deal.
  • League chatter favors Denver’s move over Buffalo’s trade for DJ Moore, and one NFL executive argued Miami did not get enough in return for Waddle.