Getting To Know Our Rookies: WR Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle
No. 17 – Miami Dolphins
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: November 25, 1998 (age 22)
Houston, Texas
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight: 182 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school: Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)
College: Alabama
NFL Draft: 2021 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
Career history
Miami Dolphins (2021–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
CFP National champion (2020)
SEC Special Teams Player of the Year (2019)
SEC Freshman of the Year (2018)
First-team All-SEC (2019)
Second-team All-SEC (2020)

NFL Draft Profile

Player Bio

Waddle was a top-40 overall recruit out of Episcopal High School in Houston before making plays for the Tide. He was a strong contributor on offense (45 receptions, 848 yards, 18.8 average, seven touchdowns) and special teams (16 punt returns, 233 yards, 14.6 average, one TD) as a freshman in 2018, starting three of 15 games played. Waddle was part of one of the best receiving corps in college football history in 2019. He only started three of 13 games played (33 receptions, 560 yards, 17.0 average, six TDs) because he was playing behind two first-round picks in Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, as well as 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. Waddle earned 2019 second-team Associated Press All-American and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors by leading the FBS in punt return average (20 returns, 487 yards, 24.4 average, one TD) and also scoring once on a kick return (five returns, 175 yards, 35.0 average). His junior season started off with a bang (28 receptions, 591 yards, 21.2 average, four TDs; four kick returns, 39 yards, 9.8 average; two punt returns, 13 yards, 6.5 average), but a broken ankle suffered while returning a kickoff against Tennessee cost him six games. The second-team All-SEC kick returner suited up for the national title game, limping at times as he contributed (three receptions, 34 yards, 11.3 average) to the team’s win over Ohio State. — by Chad Reuter

Overview

Thrilling, game-breaking talent who will come into the league as one of the fastest receivers to ever play the game. His whereabouts pre-snap and post-snap must be accounted for at all times. Despite his size, he’s a legitimate outside option, thanks to his ability to not only take the top off the defense, but also go up and win 50-50 throws. Waddle’s adept at working all three levels, so it will be tough for defenses to predict how offenses will utilize him, as he has the potential to post a higher catch volume in the right offense. Waddle can instantly upgrade a team’s scoring potential, whether it’s with the deep ball, the catch-and-run or as a return man.

Strengths

• Cheat-code speed to terrify a defense.
• Eleven of 20 career touchdowns went for 50-plus yards.
• Toys with coverage by altering route speed frequently.
• Impossible to stick with on crossing routes.
• Agile hips to snap off crisp breaks.
• Sells the double moves.
• Impressive fluidity to maintain speed through transitions.
• Lower-body strength helps to battle against route bullies.
• Specializes in accessible routes on all three levels.
• Early to find and adjust to the deep ball.
• Runs through the throw rather than reaching and slowing prematurely.
• Obliterates would-be tackle angles with the ball in his hands.
• Glides, leaps and snares the ball in mid-air.
• Puts up a good fight as a blocker.
• 19.3-yard career punt return average with two touchdowns.

Weaknesses

• Coming off ankle injury.
• Never really tested by coverage in 2020.
• Will default to body catches on occasion.
• Had drops when ball was on top of him quickly out of breaks.
• Hasn’t faced too much press.

Sources Tell Us

“That kind of speed changes everything when it comes to game-planning for the other guys. They have to account for him any time he’s on the field and that’s going to help your entire offense when you think about it.” — Personnel director for AFC team.

The speedster is the most explosive run-after-the-catch playmaker in the class. Waddle adds a dimension to the offense with his ability to score from anywhere on the field as a deep-ball specialist or catch-and-run scorer. – Bucky Brooks

***Don’t Blink When Watching This!!!!***

TDS Take:

Miami made the right choice when selecting Waddle because he provides this team with that extra element that they lacked last year, he not only has speed to burn but is tough and can catch the ball. His special teams play is also top shelf and getting him in space can produce a TD anywhere on the field. Now with the WR core that Tua has this offense should be tough to handle and they just might have caught up with our defense. If they can stay healthy this team just might make the playoffs this year.

Welcome To Miami Jaylen Waddle

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