Jaylen Waddle gone? Miami Dolphins' new receivers see 'opportunity'

Free-agent additions Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell are still sorting out everybody’s names and which exit of the turnpike gets them into the Miami Dolphins ’ facility the quickest, but already, the wide receiver room they thought they were walking into has been turned upside down. Jaylen Waddle isn’t here anymore. He was traded to the Denver Broncos in a deal that included Miami adding first- and third-round draft picks.

“I could definitely say I was surprised,” Tolbert said. Atwell went beyond that. “I was kind of shocked,” he said.

It was immediately labeled nationally as a blockbuster trade. The simplest thing for Tolbert or Atwell would have been to say the deal won’t affect them, but the past two seasons have proven Waddle’s departure will have a massive impact on Tolbert and/or Atwell, if they prove to coaches they’re up to the challenge. Both receivers enjoyed productive, career-best seasons two years ago, hovering around the 600-yard mark, before seeing their targets slashed drastically last season.

In Tolbert’s case, the reason is obvious. The Dallas Cowboys obtained George Pickens. He and CeeDee Lamb were going to get the majority of targets.