A guy has come on strong in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, and his name is Jaylen Waddle. Getting drafted by the Dolphins in the first round, and he hasn’t been disappointed in a rookie class that brought us five quarterbacks, three great quarterbacks, and an all-star running back. One player stands out amongst them all, and that is Waddle. Becoming an immediate X-factor for the Dolphins, Waddle is also on pace to break a record that has stood up for 18 years. This article will outline reasons why Waddle should be our OROY this year.
Comparing the Class
“Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle hasn’t received the same fanfare as the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase or New England Patriots’ Mac Jones, but he’s been every bit as good, if not better, than both during their rookie campaigns.”
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) December 29, 2021
– Bleacher Report pic.twitter.com/Ki54FxxfQL
The Dolphins took Jaylen Waddle sixth overall, one after Jamar Chase and four picks before Heisman Trophy winner and fellow Bama teammate Devonta Smith. Waddle lost most of his 2020 season to an ankle injury that opened the door for Smith to emerge as the first Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver since Desmond Howard. Smith was a clear choice to be taken as the second wide receiver after Jamar Chase. Instead, the Dolphins decided to go with Waddle, a YAC beast at Alabama and profiled closely to Diontae Johnson.
Did the Dolphins make the proper choice? Chase looks like the clear game-changer when you look at the numbers between the three. Chase was on fire through the first seven weeks averaging 7.28 targets, five receptions, 107 receiving yards, 0.85 TDs per game. Chase’s second half has been relatively modest compared to his first seven weeks, collecting 409 yards and 4 TDs. This downturn in production can result from multiple factors, including Tee Higgins’s emergence and teams doubling Chase up. Whether you agree or not, Waddle has been the more consistent of the two receivers.
Devonta Smith was the other receiver that Waddle was often compared to this season. For example, Smith was heralded as the best route runner in the class. Waddle has been used all over the field, including prominently in the slot. Smith averaged 3.86 receptions, 54 yards, and 0.33 TDs a game, compared to Waddle, who averaged 6.85, 67.21 yards, and 0.35 TDs. The usage is indicative of the Dolphin utilizing their 1st round wide receiver more than the Eagles. Waddle has been more effective with his targets, giving him the ball at a shorter ADOT and using open space.
| Devonta Smith | Jaylen Waddle | Ja’Marr Chase | |
| Targets | 94 | 126 | 112 |
| Receptions | 58 | 96 | 68 |
| Yards | 821 | 941 | 1,163 |
| Touchdowns | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| ADOT | 13.7 | 7.1 | 12.9 |
| Slot (%) | 9.5 | 45.8 | 11.4 |
Waddle is a X factor
Jackrabbit Jenkins says with Jaylen Waddle in the field it turns into a “Where’s Waldo” situation because you have to know where he is on the field at all times. #Titans #Dolphins pic.twitter.com/sQMQhBMkUa
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 30, 2021
Waddle has been an X-Factor for this Dolphins offense all season long, leading the team as a rookie with 126 Targets and 96 receptions. His open-field prowess has been on display as he has averaged 4.3 yards after the catch (YAC). A stat that has set him apart from Chase and Smith is how often he has lined up in the slot. Playing in multiple different spots has been essential for the rookie’s success as he has lined up a whopping 45.8 percent of the time in the slot, indicating that the Dolphins use him as a central cog in this offense.
What’s been more impressive is his ability to switch QB, as his repertoire with Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett were near identical. Both Quarterbacks have used Waddle as their number one target this season, and his numbers stayed strong with either QB. Since the Dolphins have gone on their eight-game win streak, Waddle has not had a game under four catches and 60 yards. Waddle is having his best stretch of games since Week 12, averaging 11 targets, nine catches, and 106 yards.
Waddle has been damn good this season and has been putting together an impressive stretch on the back half of the season. This tear that Waddle has been on is helping the Dolphins put together their playoff push. In a way, their rookie has been one of their core MVPs this season. That should easily make him a strong candidate for offensive rookie of the year.
| Stats | Waddle/Tua | Waddle/Brissett |
| targets | 84 | 42 |
| receptions | 65 | 31 |
| yards | 584 | 357 |
| TDs | 5 | 0 |
| ADOT | 6.98 | 5.02 |
Approaching Anquan’s Record
Jaylen Waddle hit his waddle celebration after scoring ?
— ESPN (@espn) December 28, 2021
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/av2xwetMXt
Waddle is impressive and is approaching Anquan Boldin’s rookie reception record (101). It’s an awe-inspiring feat considering this means that Waddle came in and immediately became a focal point. Think of it this way there are good “veterans” that don’t get 126 targets, and at the rate he’s going, he might have 150 targets. Waddle is also on his way to 1,000 yards and might catch another touchdown or two. If Waddle collects 150 targets that would put him behind only Boldin for most rookie targets. My last point on this will be that the 2003 offensive rookie of the year was Anquan Boldin.
Conclusion
Waddle has had a tremendous first season and is coming on strong when it matters for his team. He’s been the best offensive player for the Dolphins and has adapted to multiple quarterbacks while still putting up numbers. Sometimes the best player is the guy who has had the most input in his team’s success. So far this season, that has been Waddle for me, and I think he rightfully deserves to be Offensive Rookie of the Year.
