Denver Broncos–Miami Dolphins Trade History

Denver acquired Jerry Oliver from Miami for the 1967 twelfth-round pick that became Jim Whitaker. Oliver did not produce a meaningful long-term Broncos return, and Miami's draft materials note that Whitaker entered medical school rather than creating notable NFL value. With neither side turning the exchange into sustained production, the fairest hindsight result is an even trade with low grades.

Denver sent veteran fullback Cookie Gilchrist to Miami and received third- and fifth-round selections in the 1967 draft. Those picks became Mike Current and Fran Lynch, giving the Broncos two chances to turn an aging veteran into younger roster value. Current went on to build a long NFL career, making Denver's draft return more durable than Gilchrist's brief stay with Miami.

Denver Broncos received Bill Cronin, while Miami Dolphins received Ray Jacobs. Bill Cronin produced far less value in Denver. The Broncos did not receive a contribution comparable to Jacobs' importance for Miami. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D+ grade for Denver Broncos. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.

Denver acquired Earl Faison, Cookie Gilchrist, Earnie Park, and George Wilson Jr. from Miami. The package produced little durable value for the Broncos: Faison and Wilson did not become meaningful contributors, Gilchrist barely played, and Park supplied the clearest short-term work. Miami's return produced more usable on-field value and included additional draft capital, leaving Denver with the weaker realized package.

Denver Broncos received 1968 fourth round pick (#91-Gordon Lambert). The locked Wave 209 research supports the D+ grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against Miami Dolphins, that documented return supports the final verdict of Miami Dolphins Win.

Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins exchanged John Stofa for 1972 seventh round pick (#161-Bill Adams). Stofa brought prior starting experience and is remembered for his earlier role in Cincinnati history, but his playing career had effectively ended by the time Denver acquired him. The asset chain produced no regular-season benefit for either acquiring team. In hindsight, neither side created a meaningful advantage, so the exchange remains even after weighing actual post-trade service rather than the names or nominal asset types involved.

Miami Dolphins received Larry Evans in the 1983-08-15 exchange involving Denver Broncos. Evans suffered a severe knee sprain and spent the 1983 season on injured reserve, preventing Miami from receiving meaningful regular-season production from the acquired linebacker. That realized return supports a D grade for Miami Dolphins. The overall verdict is Even Trade, with the grade based on direct value created from this transaction.

Miami moved Larry Lee to Denver and received the 1988 eighth-round selection used on Louis Cheek. The draft choice preserved some future value, but it did not match the immediate usefulness Denver received from Lee. Miami's return was not empty, so a C grade fits a modest package whose realized payoff trailed the player sent away.

Miami Dolphins received Bobby Humphrey while Denver Broncos received Sammie Smith. Miami received Bobby Humphrey, who immediately delivered nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage and helped a team that reached the AFC Championship Game. His first Dolphins season alone supplied substantial offensive value and gave Miami the clearly stronger side of the swap. That outcome supports a B+ grade for Miami Dolphins in this trade.

Denver acquired running back John Avery from Miami in exchange for receiver Marcus Nash. Avery did not develop into a durable Broncos contributor, and his Denver tenure produced little lasting offensive value. The deal gave Denver a former first-round prospect to evaluate, but the realized return was too small to create an advantage.

Miami paid two second-round picks for Brandon Marshall and immediately received a true No. 1 receiver. Marshall topped 1,000 yards in both Dolphins seasons, made the Pro Bowl in 2011, and gave an uneven passing offense a focal point. Denver converted the compensation into draft flexibility and guard/tackle Orlando Franklin, a multi-year starter. Both clubs received meaningful production from the exchange.

Denver sent Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Miami on November 1, 2022, for running back Chase Edmonds, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick. Miami acquired an established edge rusher and extended him shortly after the trade. Denver converted a player approaching a new contract into a veteran plus two draft assets. Chubb contributed when available, but injuries limited the continuity of Miami’s return.

Denver acquired Jaylen Waddle and the 111th pick in the 2026 draft from Miami for picks 30, 94 and 130. Waddle arrived as a proven field-stretching receiver with three 1,000-yard seasons in five years, giving the Broncos an immediate veteran weapon while Miami converted an established star into three selections across the first four rounds.