Dolphins Rookie Jaylen Waddle Explodes For Biggest Game To Date

Miami Dolphins rookie wideout Jaylen Waddle had a monstrous outing against the Carolina Panthers, his best of the season.

The rookie wide receivers have been impressive to start the season, especially those selected in the first round or close to it. Ja’Marr Chase, Devonta Smith, and Elijah Moore have been playing very well, and Rashod Bateman could come on down the stretch. Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is certainly in that group, and has put together some solid performances to date this season. However, fans and analysts were looking for that big breakout game from the sixth overall pick. He had it on Sunday.

Waddle had nine catches for 137 yards against the Carolina Panthers and found the end zone as well, where he choreographed a perfect penguin waddle to celebrate. Everything was on display in this game, and it’s clear he’s starting to really gel with Tua Tagovailoa.

Waddle has 77 receptions through his first 12 games, the second most in NFL history behind Odell Beckham Jr. The Dolphins have been peppering him with targets in the quick passing game, whether it be with RPO action, bubble screens, spot concepts, you name it. Waddle has made some big time plays after the catch with his ridiculous acceleration, including picking up some key first downs from behind the sticks.

Still, there was an element to Waddle’s game that the Dolphins weren’t taking advantage of, that is until today. Waddle was excellent at Alabama working the intermediate level of the field, using his natural flexibility and acceleration to explode out of breaks efficiently and capitalize on the space given to him to make plays after the catch. Tagovailoa found Waddle on one of those intermediate crossers today, and he made the most of it, ripping off a massive gain of 57 yards once the ball was in his hands.

When he can be hit in stride with the speed he possesses, he can turn any of those plays into a touchdown. He’s that dynamic. Combine that with his separation quickness in the quick game, his ability to high point the football and win in contested spots through contact, and his field vision after the catch, and the Dolphins could get humming on offense.

Obviously, there’s a lot that goes into plays like that. The protection, which has been shaky all season long, has to hold up long enough for plays of this nature to develop. Still, with Jaylen Waddle playing this well, the Miami Dolphins have a chance to right the ship down the stretch, or, at the very least, head into the offseason with some positives moving forward. Waddle is that good, and he proved it today.