ESPN names the Denver Broncos’ biggest need after trading for WR Jaylen Waddle and how it can be addressed

The Denver Broncos made a huge splash this week by trading for Jaylen Waddle.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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The Denver Broncos made a huge splash this week by trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but the franchise still has work to do to improve the roster ahead of the 2026 season.

Denver sent a first-round (30th overall), third-round (94th), and fourth-round (130th) draft pick to the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday in exchange for Waddle and a fourth-round (111th) draft pick.

Waddle is expected to take his physical in Denver on Wednesday.

Update:

Waddle passed his physical.

ESPN names the Broncos’ biggest need after trading for Jaylen Waddle

The Broncos badly needed to add a playmaker to their roster this offseason, and trading for Waddle certainly fills that need.

Denver, however, still has other needs that need to be addressed.

ESPN’s Jeff Legwold specifically pointed out tight end as a top remaining need for the Broncos.

Legwold noted that it’s tough to see Denver’s “upgrade plan” at tight end, unless the team wants to use a “premium” draft pick on a tight end.

“Tight end. It’s difficult to see the upgrade plan at the position beyond potential game-plan adjustments unless the Broncos are poised to use a premium draft pick in April,” wrote Legwold of Denver’s biggest remaining need. “The Broncos have re-signed Adam Trautman (three years), Nate Adkins (one year) and Lucas Krull (one year) to return alongside Evan Engram so far. The Broncos’ tight ends combined for three touchdowns last season, and no player at the position averaged more than 9.8 yards per catch.”

After sending a first-round pick to the Dolphins, the Broncos won’t pick in the 2026 NFL Draft until near the end of the second round (No. 62 overall).

So unless the Broncos make another trade, they likely won’t be in the mix to select the consensus top tight end in the draft — Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who could be a top 20 selection.

There are some other options, though, that would make sense for the Broncos in the second round.

The latest mock draft from CBS Sports, for example, has the Broncos selecting Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers at No. 62 overall.

Stowers, who turns 23 next month, was First-Team All-SEC in 2024 and 2025.

The Texas native caught 111 passes for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns during his two seasons with the Commodores.

At 6-foot-4/240 pounds, Stowers has ideal size to play tight end in the NFL.

There’s no guarantee that Stowers will fall to the Broncos at No. 62 overall — he’s probably the second best tight end in this year’s draft — but if he does, Denver would be wise to pull the trigger on selecting him.

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