Waddle House - Prospect Spotlight - Jaylen Waddle - WR - Alabama

By: Hussam Patel

Welcome to Juice’s Jumbo Board where each week I highlight an Impact player the Miami Dolphins Can target in next Year's NFL Draft. After Picking up 11 players in the 2020 draft, the Dolphins look to build their organization through the 2021 draft and compete in the postseason. Currently the Dolphins hold the following picks not counting compensatory picks:
 
RD1: Pick 7 (From Houston)
RD1: Pick 14
RD2: Pick 38 (From Houston)
RD2: Pick 48
RD3: Pick 78
RD4: Pick 116 (Swap with Las Vegas)
RD4: Pick 124 (Swap with Las Vegas)
RD6: Pick 208 (From Houston)
RD6: Pick 209 (From Pittsburgh)
RD7:Pick 237

Dolphin fans get ready to hear rumors and swirls about Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith linked to one of Miami's first two First Round picks. Through Many Mocks, Jaylen Waddle is the Clear choice, ahead of DeVonta Smith, to be selected since the Dolphins have a “need” at WR. With Albert Wilson opting out due to COVID-19 and Jakeem grant not a big contributor in the offense, the Dolphins need a deep threat that can burn opposing DBs.
 
Waddle is a 5-foot 10, 183-pound junior who is a big time play-making threat for Alabama. Not to forget Tua has played and thrown to Waddle at Alabama before. In the role of now Raiders Rookie Henry Ruggs III and Broncos Rookie Jerry Jeudy, Waddle is the #1 receiving threat for Alabama. Both Jerry Jeudy and Ruggs had the ability to make plays after catching the ball, but each had their own style in doing so. Waddle, however, seems to have both traits of Ruggs’ speed and Jeudy's route running skills. To Further add on his catching ability is in the ranks of Amari Cooper.

Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle 77-Yard TD #Bama #Vols #Cbs pic.twitter.com/qNK6q5zOD6

— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) October 20, 2018

Jaylen Waddle making plays □pic.twitter.com/dU7RMDzhzT

— Alabama DieHards (@AlabamaDieHards) October 18, 2020

There were concerns during the off-season at Alabama when he was a sophomore behind Ruggs, Smith, and Jeudy that he would not be able to be up to the challenge with limited playing time. During that time he ran only shallow crossers, bubble screens, quick slants (off of RPOs), and pivot routes back across the middle of the field and gain YAC. Now with an expanded role and increased snap count, he is able to run the entire route tree while weaving his way through defenses with ease all with maximum speed. His speed alone makes him tough to cover in a man coverage scheme and his weaving ability allows him to feast on zone coverages. Putting up a stat sheet:
 
Vs Missouri: 8-134-2
Vs A&M: 5-142-1
Vs Ole Miss: 6-120
Vs Georgia: 6-161-1

watching Jaylen Waddle highlights vs Mizzou and can confidently say that he’s the best Bama WR since Julio

the movement skills and ability to catch in traffic are unmatched, dude deserves to go top-10 pic.twitter.com/bwJTYHebov

— Kev Mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) September 28, 2020

Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle (@D1__JW) Highlights

Waddle can score any time he touches the ball. His speed & quickness is a game changer #RollTide

Full Video □: https://t.co/pgKTc71PYE pic.twitter.com/D2KbhHw28d

— JustBombsProductions (@JBP_Official) December 19, 2019

The aforementioned above is why he is high on my Jumbo Board for the dolphins based on need and skill level. Through 4 weeks of college football we’ve seen waddle make spectacular catches and amazing plays- I expect him to get better as the season progresses and he could be challenging LSU opt out Ja’Marr Chase as the #1 WR heading into the draft. Pair Him up in a lineup consisting of Tua, Parker, Preston Williams and Gesicki, opposing defenses will have a nightmare on their hands.

Please welcome Hussam Patel to PhinManiacs and please give him a follow on Twitter @AirXAlpha1721