The Phinsider
Now that the 2025 NFL trade deadline has passed, plenty of reports have started to circulate on the many trades that weren’t reached before Wednesday’s trade deadline. Yesterday, we learned that teams were heavily interested in Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane. A second-round pick was the asking price, but no team was willing to bite — which IMO, is a very good thing for the Dolphins long-term.
The same can be said about the team’s inability to find a suitor for speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
However, an interesting detail that surfaced on Sunday morning has me a bit peeved heading into this critical AFC East matchup against the team that has rested solely at the top since Tom Brady’s departure, the Buffalo Bills.
Speaking of the Bills!
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, they were not only interested in Miami’s WR1 Jaylen Waddle, they were the ‘highest bidder’ and if it weren’t for their inability to part with a 2026 first-round pick INSTEAD of a 2027 first-round pick, we may be facing Waddle today. I really can’t believe I typed that.
“I am told the Bills made a run at multiple big targets within the AFC East, offering a first-round pick as part of a package for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle… and the Jets for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.” The NFL Network insider continued:
“In fact, I am told the Bills had the highest offer for Jaylen Waddle. But Miami wanted a first-round pick in 2026, and not 2027, as part of the package. Ultimately, Miami decided that the Bills’ offer — which also included a third-round pick in 2026 — was not enough to move their starting wide receiver.”
Yes, this is all being reported now, so take it with a grain of salt, but I can confidently say I would’ve been irate if this deal had gone through… A late first-round pick, in whichever year, is going to be closer to a second-round pick. The same can be said about the third rounder, as well.
Not to mention, the 26-year-old speedster just signed a three-year contract extension worth $84.75 million, locking him up through the 2028 season. A deal that, when compared to some of the other wide receivers on the market, is good value.
During his five years in Miami, the former sixth-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has caught 350 out of 503 targets for 4,715 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has 41 catches for 586 yards (14.3 YPC) and four touchdowns so far in 2025.
In the end, this could all be setting up for the team to move on from Waddle in the offseason, especially if another team offers a package similar to what the Bills were considering. At that time, I’ll probably come to terms with the trade, understanding that in order to turn this thing around — you need to acquire as much draft capital as humanly possible — jettisoning some of your star players to greener pastures.
Sure,...
