Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle learned he was traded from Miami to Denver and quickly reached out to a familiar new teammate.

Cornerback Pat Surtain II.

“He was one of the first calls that I made,” said Waddle during his introductory news conference Wednesday. “We talked about this earlier in our careers. We wanted to get together and play with each other. Just seeing it happen? It’s special.”

Waddle and Surtain played together in college at Alabama (2018-20) and were both top-10 picks in the 2021 NFL draft. They’ve reunited this season after the Broncos followed a quiet NFL free agency period with a huge trade splash.

The Broncos received Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 111). The Dolphins received a first-round pick (No. 30), a third-round pick (No. 94), and a fourth-round pick (No. 130) in the upcoming NFL draft on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. The trade became official Wednesday.

“It’s been exciting, definitely something new,” Waddle said. “It was yesterday morning (when) they gave me the news. I came out here (to Denver), and it’s been great. … It’s the NFL, so you never know for sure and what could happen. It’s part of the business.”

Waddle, 27, has been reportedly coveted by Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton dating back to last season at the trade deadline. Waddle told reporters he was aware of that chatter. They couldn’t reach a deal. But it finally materialized after recent wholesale changes in Miami with the firing of head coach Mike McDaniel and the release of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Waddle is a proven playmaker after five NFL seasons. He accumulated 373 catches for 5,039 yards and 26 touchdowns in Miami. Will he be the No. 1 option in Denver? Waddle downplayed the concept.

“I don’t think there are any true No. 1 (receivers),” Waddle said. “Everyone is here to make plays and try to win. That’s ultimately the goal for the team and for the organization.”

Waddle was complimentary of the Broncos receiving corps and shouted out Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Waddle described it as a “fun group” with “a lot of talent.”

Waddle has a chance to be the featured target for quarterback Bo Nix. His elite speed and complete route tree should make him a versatile weapon for first-year offensive coordinator and play-caller Davis Webb.

Waddle said his overall goal is to “make plays to the best of my abilities,” whether it’s taking the top off a defense or making plays in space near the line of scrimmage.

“I think over my time, I got a chance to play all over the place. So, I think that helps just knowing the offense inside and out,” Waddle explained. “Being able to put me in different spots. I think that’s always helpful. Just being able to go around and play different positions.”