Miami Dolphins: Prospects to trade up for in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Ian Higgins
17
Jaylen Waddle WR
Sitting out for the vast majority of the Crimson Tide’s championship run due to an ankle injury, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle lost out on the chance to prove his worth alongside Heisman-winning teammate Devonta Smith. Despite not having the chance to boost his draft stock in his final collegiate contests, Waddle still remains pegged above Smith on the majority of draft boards due to his seamless schematic fit into the NFL as a number one wide receiver.
With NFL passing offenses continuing to evolve in a copy-cat manner, it can only be expected that a wave of new-age wide receivers in the mold of Tyreek Hill would sweep the league. Following in the footsteps of former teammate and Las Vegas Raider Henry Ruggs, Waddle will be shouldered with the responsibility of providing instant explosiveness to an offense both vertically and horizontally.
Currently led by red zone threat Devante Parker, the Miami Dolphins have been searching for their own speed-based wide receiver in the middle to late rounds of the draft for years. Having signed Texans deep-threat Will Fuller to fill such a role, Waddle could excel as a complementing weapon underneath with the freedom to make plays with the ball in hand.