Expectations for Jaylen Waddle In 2021?

Miami spent big and expects big things from Jaylen Waddle

In the 2021 Draft, the Miami Dolphins used two 1st Round draft picks to select Jaylen Waddle to bring a much-needed vertical threat to the offense. Chris Grier made a bold move using the extra 1st Rounder they received from San Francisco to get back into the Top 10 of the draft, so it’s crucial that Waddle makes good in a big way right out of the gate. While that’s a ton of draft capital used if Waddle does produce as billed the extra draft capital will be worth it!

The first hurdle for Waddle to justify his selection is by having a better rookie season than Devonta Smith.

Waddle v.s. Smith

The two players careers are joined at the hip for a few reasons.

  1. Both players played in Alabama.
  2. The Eagles swapped picks with the Dolphins and used that pick and a little extra ammo to move up to #10 to select Smith.
  3. Smith had an all-world college season and Waddle was injured most of his, so Smith certainly has a chip on his shoulder.
  4. Early ‘word on the street’ was Smith was the Phins target.

The big negative on Devonta Smith was his size; however, Smith is slightly taller listed at 6’1 compared to Waddle who is listed at 5’10. To Waddle’s favor though, Smith is listed at 175 pounds compared to Waddle who is listed slightly heavier at 182 pounds. So if one is worried about Smith’s size, then Waddle’s size should also be a worry. But, the true X-factor difference between the two is speed… and Waddle has that in spades over Smith. It was because of Waddle’s world-class speed that Miami drafted him over Smith. If Waddle can match what he did in college, every NFL defender will be hard-pressed to contain him. This will open up the offense much more than anything Smith could do.

So, speed and separation must be clearly on display right out of the shoot. And, if we do see that level of flashing speed, then Miami will be well on their way towards nailing his selection.

Waddle will get plenty chances to prove his worth

Waddle should get tons of opportunities to play this upcoming season. If these coaches are as good at designing defensive schemes as they are at scheming specific offensive plays for a player such as Waddle, then watch out. Elite speed is not something you can ever teach, so the key for the coaches is going to be finding all types of ways to get Waddle in space and let his speed do the rest.

And then there are Special Teams…

I expect Waddle to contribute there as well. Look how Jakeem Grant changed the face of games. Waddle has even more speed. Unfortunately, Grant hasn’t proven to be a consistent fielder of kicks, so I expect Waddle to replace him if Waddle proves to have more reliable hands.

Adding together both his offensive snaps and return snaps, Waddle could be poised for a highly productive season.

When looking at various betting software for bookmakers, Waddle’s Offensive Rookie of the year odds is currently at +2000.  This means that if someone wagered $100 on him to win, then the payout would be $2,000 if that happened. While QB Trevor Lawrence is the favorite at +300, quarterbacks are always the favorites for those types of awards since they can have the biggest impact on a game, and season. However, in terms of skill positions, there are only a few other players such as Kyle Pitts, Devonta Smith, Najee Harris, Ja’marr Chase, and Javonte Williams that have better odds of winning the Offensive Rookie of the year award. 

This just shows that the oddsmakers do believe that Waddle has a good chance to make an immediate impact this season. On the negative side, Miami had their hands on the above players who are predicted to have more production, at some point. — College Student Tips on Becoming a Bookie.

Waddle should be judge not only by his own production…

In terms of stats, with our plethora of receivers, the goal for Tua is to spread it around and get as many players involved as possible, If this is the plan, Waddle should be also judged by the opportunities he brings to others with his speed demanding so much attention. While Waddle’s individual statistics could be slightly lower, his presence should lead this 2021 Phins offense too much better passing and receiving numbers across the board compared to last season.

With that being said, a ballpark floor for a statistical goal as a receiver for Waddle should be around at least 50 receptions, 700 receiving yards, and 5 or more touchdowns. If he can surpass each of these targets in each category, that would be considered a very productive rookie season for a Wide Receiver if the whole offense kicks it up to another gear as well.  And again, what will Waddle contribute in the return game?

Waddle could be the most exciting offensive rookie in a long time!

What do the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans hope for what Waddle statistically this season? Get the Right Sports Betting Platform For Your Personal Investment Needs.


 

8 comments

  • Van Hamlin

    Waggle has a lot to prove. He’s 5″10″ SHORT! He has bird legs! He was injured last year. You are comparing him to Jakeem Grant who still hasn’t proved to me he belongs on this team. Waddle is fast! Okay, can our QB chuck the ball like someone say, like Mahomes? The answer is no! Our QB is still learning the playbook! Our back up QB is better than our starter!

    All of that fancy trading is only pie in the sky speculation right now. I would have used the 3rd pick on Ja”Mar Chase and the 18th pick on Naajee Harris! Two solid pro prospects who could help out now!

    • admin

      Miami has had two drafts of “We are smarter than the average bear”. Hey, if they are it will prove itself on the field and given the moves… this team will be stellar. If not, we’ll quickly find out they aren’t… For me, I wanted Pitts… But, it’s an opinion. Just as good as any’s… time will prove what is what… I love Flores… I’ll ride that he knows better than me till proven otherwise. Clearly, to your point, this season will show Chris Grier to be brilliant or a fool. They made move with little in-between! Let’s hope it’s brilliant! Tua being healthy is the first great tell… the reality is some of the big moves will flop… that’s the way of football. The key is that they hit at around 60-70% of those 6 first Round picks through the 3 drafts. For me, 2021 is more about player development than wins… if these players develop and show growth by the end of 2021… then look out 2022. HUGE season, Van!!! I think X might be gone and that will limit to ceiling for wins.

  • steven dunn

    2 rookie of the year players one on each side of the ball (offense/defense). Future is BRIGHT

    • steven dunn

      On the outside looking in, it may have seemed like we used 2 picks to get Waddle; imo, Miami was taking Waddle all along unless Pitts fell. Grier masterfully turned that 3rd overall pick into an extra 1st round pick, knowing they could get Waddle at 6 (or Chase if Waddle was taken at 5) Grier moved down then back up all while receiving more draft capital for that premium pick while still getting their desired player. That was brilliant! That is why the 2 pre draft trades were made within a half hour of each other, the plan was there all along.
      The offense hinges on Tua, he will make or break our season offensively, the pieces are around him, he’s had OTAs>>>training camp to come, no excuses from here on out, either we are moving forward w/Tua or using our draft capital to secure our next Dan Marino.

      ****Side Note, I am getting the feeling that X will be on a different team before the season starts (unfortunately). Sad; however, more draft capital. It is the Patriot way, move a player when their value is at its highest, and X-Man’s value couldn’t be any higher.

      • admin

        Yeah, Steve… I just don’t think X will be back. Barry reported he wanted to be traded last year. X is making a strong money move and I don’t think anything but top dollar will get him to play. Tua will show how healthy he is… this will be his ceiling of health for his NFL career. It just needs to be pretty close to his 2018 form… kid was playing clearly with one hand behind his back in 2020. Every NFL rookie QB has areas of their game that must grow… but, doing that wounded and unhealthy is near impossible. They should have let him sit all season. If he comes out healthy or 95% plus healthy… he’ll be fine. Then we can eval him fairly. Am I concerned? Yup! The kid had an unprecedented string of injuries and surgeries for a year and then all the rehab. We’ve never seen a kid picked that high with that many surgeries. If Tua can overcome… kid is a star! I’m pretty impressed he made it this far given what his body took. BIG camp and preseason for him… if he is just above average BUT healthy! Then I think he could shine and even brighter in 2022. He has a lot to grow in beyond the injuries…. but health is his biggest hurdle in my mind. If he does… the kid is made of some really stern stuff and I wouldn’t count him out of anything.

    • admin

      Could be, Steve! With those 6 1st Round picks, we’ll get some busts… that’ reality. They just need around 60-70% hit rate… for them to be above average. The average to be decent in the 1st is like 75% across the board with some dips at certain positions… if Miami can get above average at that rate… it will be huge!!!! I like to wait till the 1st Qtr to be done with of a rookie career…. anything can happen early… look at Yatil Green!!! I do hope you are right!!!!!!!!!!

  • Jason Deskins

    Two first round picks? Really? Incorrect. The Dolphins moved from pick 3 to pick 6 and added a first rounder. Don’t waste time thinking about the 5 minutes they had the 12th pick. The move to 12 was part of the grand scheme. To say they gave 2 first rounders for Waddle is disingenuous. They knew who they wanted, and knew they could still get him a few picks later. They made calls, performed a little magic, and got their guy a few picks later with some extra draft capital.

    • admin

      They spent the 12th Round pick and then paid a future 1st to move up? That means it cost them two picks to acquire Waddle… don’t see how that’s disingenuous, Jason. It’s a fact, brother. They could have used the extra pick on another player next year in the 1st Round. That’s means they believed in Waddle so much that they combined the picks in getting one player instead of two… Does this mean the move is a failure? No! If Waddle does what he is intended to do, then it is well worth it. I agree they knew who they wanted. I agree with everything you said about moving back up and still getting the extra pick. But, if Miami had stayed put, they would have had more ammo + more players. Does this quantity outweigh quality? No! Again, if Waddle is as good as advertised, then all will be well. But, should he not for whatever reason… Miami will have lost extra ammo to the tune of an extra 1st Round pick. We are all hoping this isn’t the case. It’s the same with Rosen… we spent a 2nd on him. We gained a 2nd from the Saints… Rosen flopped and we lost that 2nd who could have been used to acquire the center the Saints drafted who is doing quite well. It was worth the roll of the dice as the bet was hedged, but Miami did waste a 2nd RD pick. Waddle must be at least a near a Pro Bowl player in a few years with the offense getting more potent by his threat alone for this move to be a winner. Wasn’t my article… It was Jimmy’s… But, I totally agree with this point.
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