All-Pro receiver expects All-Pro season from Jaylen Waddle

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has the fewest receptions, fewest receiving yards and fewest touchdown receptions in his three NFL seasons in 2023.

After joining the Dolphins as the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of undefeated 2020 CFP national champion Alabama, Waddle broke the NFL rookie record for catches with 104. In his sophomore season, Waddle led the NFL with an average of 18.1 yards per catch.

In 2023, Waddle missed three games but still finished the season as a 1,000-yard receiver for the third time: 72 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.

Miami teammate Tyreek Hill led the NFL with 1,799 yards receiving in 2023, and the former West Alabama standout expects Waddle to have a big season in 2024.

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“I would say he’s an All-Pro this year,” Hill said of Waddle on Monday. “He’s taken his game to the next level in the classroom. He’s taking it more seriously. He’s moved to the back of the classroom with me and River (Cracraft), so now he’s sitting next to us. He’s asking more questions, which is great. He’s really looking to get better. And for me, I think this is a start.”

“To be able to take your game to the next level at a non-ideal size receiver — you’re fast, you’re edgy — you have to be able to do that in the classroom, and he’s done a great job with the advice of our (wide receivers) coach, Wes (Welker), (offensive assistant) coach (Jonathan) Krause and all the older guys in our room. I expect the All-Pro, WR One, all of them — to lead our team.”

The Dolphins gained more yards last season than any other team in the NFL, and Hill said just as he expects more from Waddle in 2024, Miami’s offense should be more productive.

“(Quarterback) Tua (Tagovailoa) did a great job of communicating exactly what he wanted as far as details and routes,” Hill said, “and Mike (McDaniel), our head coach, gave him the keys to the car, which is even better. I believe it allows us all to play freely and just be ourselves and be creative with our routes.”

Tagovailoa’s newfound assertiveness has become a topic of discussion as the former Alabama All-American prepares for his fifth season in the NFL.

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“I’m going to keep pounding the table and saying he’s more vocal,” Hill said. “He’s more vocal in the huddle, he’s more vocal in the locker room, he’s vocal everywhere — everywhere. I walk into the building, you can hear Tua’s mouth to the point where I’m like, ‘I wish you’d shut up already.’”

“But he’s great. Tua is a great teammate and he communicates great with all the wideouts, even though he has a good reputation. Good reputation or bad reputation, he’s always coming to us, making sure we see that route or that play the same way he does. And he does that with everyone on offense, which I think is a great thing, compared to when I came in here, we’d make a play and then we’d say, ‘Where’s Tua? I need to talk to him about this play.’ Compared to now, he’s coming to find you. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”

“Same thing Pat (Mahomes) did in Kansas City, making sure guys saw it the same way he did. It’s great.”

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The Dolphins will open their season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at noon CT at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Miami is seeking its third consecutive playoff appearance since a five-year streak from 1997-2001. It is also the last time the Dolphins have won a postseason game.

“We’re all excited,” Hill said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons, a lot of playmakers, man. Everybody’s on the edge of their seats, waiting for this moment. The three days we had off, all I could think about was lining up, playing with the guys on offense. I’m really excited. Every year is another opportunity to win games and make memories with a great group of guys. …

“This is the best team we’ve had since we’ve been here. What a time to be alive, to be a Dolphins fan.”