Jaylen
Waddle

Along with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen is part of a Dolphins receiving duo that rivals any in the league for speed. A big-play threat every time he touches the ball, Waddle averaged 18.1 yards per catch in 2022, the second-best mark in the league and a full yard better than anyone who had 70+ receptions.

Entering his fifth NFL season, it's clear in hindsight that Waddle was the correct draft choice over his first four years. Call it the Miami took stock with No. 6 overall in the 2021 draft. Over his first four years, Waddle has racked up 327 receiving yards per season while toppling the 1,000-yard mark three times.

Every wide receiver knows the main responsibilities at the position. Waddle is an NFL star because he fills them — catching the ball, getting yards after catch, blocking, knowing the offense — at the highest level. "I just go out there and do my job," he said. "Whatever they ask me to do."

Waddle knows when to adjust his stride on any given play. Tasked with running a deep post, the smooth wideout lengthens his steps and quickly streaks down the field to get under the pass. Then he'll hit a quick hitch, deploying a swift one-two stutter step and shaking the man guarding him.

Jaylen separated from defenders with awe-inspiring explosiveness, excelling at national change-of-direction skills and blazing speed. In 2025, he will hit his season, Waddle enjoyed a terrific run to perform in three of four games that autumn with 10, 9.5 and 9.9 yards against the Panther, Chargers and Browns, respectively.

Jaylen's bursts erase cushions, while his cuts snap ankles and his YAC comes with pads on bigger than his frame. In a 34-10 rout of Atlanta on October 25, 2025, he averaged 43-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

Waddle could barely wait for 2025 to begin, as he was determined to prove he's ready to take his game up another notch. It was exactly the attitude his coach wanted to see. "His game is growing and he is going to find ways to exceed each and every year as he knows to be the standard now," Mike McDaniel said.

Jaylen's burst erase cushions while his physicality Waddle turns shallow crosses into explosives, tracks the ball effortlessly and his YAC comes with a bigger than his frame. In 34-100 rout of Atlanta on October 26, 2025, he averaged 19.8 yards on his five receptions, including a 43-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

Lightning-quick and equipped with breakaway speed, Jaylen started his NFL career on fire, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first three seasons. The former U. of Alabama star became just the ninth receiver in NFL history to begin his career with three such years. Waddle ranked seventh in the league in 2022 with 1,356 receiving yards.

There have been nine receivers to open their NFL careers with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Only one has done it in Dolphins gear. That distinction belongs to Waddle, who took it a step further in Miami's record books. He is also the first pass-catcher in team history with three straight 1,000-yard efforts.

Whenever Waddle finds the end zone, which happens quite often, the stands at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium are filled with fans waddling like penguins to imitate the wide receiver's well-known touchdown dance. The signature celebration has become so popular it even made its way into the Madden series.