Suitors Considering Jaylen Waddle Trade; Dolphins WR Unlikely To Be Dealt

As expected, the Dolphins dealt away one of their top trade candidates yesterday. Jaelan Phillips is no longer in the fold, and it remains to be seen if other moves will be coming ahead of the deadline.

Jaylen Waddle is among the players drawing the most attention in Miami’s case. The fifth-year wideout was not viewed as a candidate to be dealt under general manager Chris Grier. The Dolphins’ decision to move on from him just before the deadline has, however, led to a perceived shift in stance in terms of how willing the team is to part with players. Interim GM Champ Kelly has made one move, and it was reported over the weekend he would consider a Waddle trade.

Any trade on that front would come at a high price. Indeed, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones confirms any Waddle swap would cost a first-round pick “and then some.” He adds a deal being worked out today remains unlikely, but he also writes there are teams discussing whether or not a trade would still be worth pursuing despite the ask on Miami’s part.

Several teams – including the Steelers and Bills – have frequently been mentioned as suitors for a wideout addition. In those cases, however, a rental would be considered more feasible. That could steer Pittsburgh and Buffalo in the direction of pending free agents such as Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed. Still, Waddle’s name will be worth watching especially if other wideouts find themselves on the move shortly.

The 26-year-old topped 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, and he is in line to continue operating as Miami’s No. 1 wideout with Tyreek Hill sidelined for the remainder of the current campaign. Especially if Hill is released at the end of the year, Waddle will project as a focal point on offense for years to come. The Alabama product is averaging 14.3 yards per catch in 2025, the second-highest total of his career.

Waddle is under contract through 2028, and his pact contains vesting dates for bonuses and option/bonus payments every year along the way. Taking on the pact would be difficult for many teams as a result, although the remainder of his base salary for this year would be easy to absorb for any contender. A swap would still be a surprise, but with the door open to one being agreed to by Miami’s new front office, this situation will be one to watch.