Wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, Jaylen Waddle, was born on November 25, 1998. He has been playing with the Dolphins for four seasons, as of September 2024. Houston, Texas native, opted for the University of Alabama over LSU, UCLA, Texas A&M, Notre Dame and Michigan, among others, in 2018. He won the SEC Freshman of the Year award in his first season and the 2019 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year award. He was also selected for the 2019 first team All-SEC, the 2020 second team All-SEC, and the 2020 CFP National Champion.
Waddle skipped his senior year and entered the 2021 NFL Draft, where he was drafted sixth overall by the Miami Dolphins. He signed a four-year contract that was extended for three more years in March 2024, owing to his explosive performance of 18 touchdowns and 251 receptions for 3,385 yards in 47 games. He also led the league in 2022, with his average per reception rate of 18.1.
Jaylen Waddle's Draft
Jaylen was drafted by the Miami Dolphins as the 6th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. His prospect grade is 6.86, according to the NFL, which means Year 1 Starter. His production score is 84 and his athleticism score is 90, which was fourth and first wide receiver rank. Further, his total score was 90 and wide receiver rank of fifth at the 2021 NFL Combine, according to the NFL.
At the Miami Dolphins, Waddle was paired along with his college teammate Tua Tagovailoa, who served as Waddle’s quarterback. He signed a 4-year rookie deal worth around $27 million in 2021, which was but extended for three more seasons in March 2024, which was before its termination. He has played in the NFL for just three seasons but has already carved out a name for himself. He set a record for the most number of receptions by a rookie with 104 receptions. The record was previously held by Anquan Boldin, who had 101 receptions.
Waddle finished his rookie season recording over 1000 yards and 7 touchdowns. He had a stellar 2nd season as well, doing his best to lead the Miami Dolphins offense. It was at this point that Waddle was paired with Tyreek Hill, known to be the best wide receiver in the league. He completed the 2022 season with a career-high 1356 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. As a sophomore, an unimaginable accomplishment was to lead the league in average yards gained per reception. Waddle recorded 18.1 yards towards that statline.
While Tyreek Hill may have taken over the number 1 option as the wide receiver for Tua Tagovailoa, Waddle could see a higher number of receptions due to the departure of tight end Mike Gesicki. Waddle has had a great start to his NFL career so far over the past two seasons and the expectations are that he has a blowout 3rd season in the league. In the 2023 season, he played and started 14 games, recording 72 receptions for 1,014 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while three carries for 12 rushing yards.
FAQs on Jaylen Waddle
A. Jaylen Waddle was drafted in the NFL draft of 2021 as the 6th overall pick. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.
A. Jaylen Waddle is 25 years old as of September 2024. He was born in Houston, Texas, United States, on November 25, 1998.
A. Jaylen Waddle plays for the NFL team, Miami Dolphins. He was drafted as the 6th overall pick by the team in the 2021 NFL draft.
A. Waddle has now played for two seasons with Tua Tagovailoa in the NFL. Prior to the NFL, the two had also played in college at the University of Alabama. It is expected that the Dolphins continue to pair the two together while adding additional offensive power to the team.
A. Jaylen Waddle agreed to a three-year, $84.75 million contract extension with the Miami Dolphins in March 2024, his first offseason of eligibility for one.
