Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had the fewest receptions, fewest receiving yards and fewest touchdown receptions of his three NFL seasons in 2023.
After joining the Dolphins as the sixth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft from Alabama’s 2020 undefeated CFP national-championship team, Waddle broke the NFL rookie record for receptions by catching 104 passes. In his second season, Waddle led the NFL with an average of 18.1 yards per reception.
In 2023, Waddle missed three games but still finished as a 1,000-yard receiver for the third time with 72 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.
Miami teammate Tyreek Hill led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards in 2023, and the former West Alabama standout expects a big season from Waddle in 2024.
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“I’d say All-Pro this year,” Hill said about Waddle on Monday. “He’s taken his game to another level in the classroom. He’s taking it more serious. He’s moved to the back of the classroom with me and River (Cracraft), so he’s sitting beside us now. He’s asking more questions, which is great. He’s very eager to get better. And for me, I believe that’s where it starts.
“To be able to take your game to the next level at a not-ideal receiver size -- you’re fast, you’re twitchy -- you got to be able to do it in the classroom, and he’s done a great job taking advice from our (wide-receivers) coach, Wes (Welker), (offensive assistant) coach (Jonathan) Krause and all of the older guys in our room. I expect All-Pro, WR One, all of that -- lead our team.”
The Dolphins gained more yards than any other team in the NFL last season, and just as he expects more from Waddle in 2024, Hill said the Miami offense should be more productive, too.
“(Quarterback) Tua (Tagovailoa) has done a great job of overcommunicating exactly what he wants as far as details and routes,” Hill said, “and Mike (McDaniel), our head coach, he has given him the keys to the car, which is even more of a beautiful thing. I believe with that, that gives all of us the ability to play free and just be ourselves and just to be creative within our routes.”
Tagovailoa’s new assertiveness has been a topic of discussion as the former Alabama All-American prepares for his fifth NFL season.
