Open Nav
Show Navigation
Show Menu

Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Overview

Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle
Player Profile

WR MIA

Height

5'10"

Weight

185 lbs.

Experience

4 yrs.

Bye

12

Birthday

Nov 25, 1998

Age

26.5

College

Alabama

NFL Draft Pick

2021 - Rd 1, Pk 6

Fantasy Rankings & Projections

Fantasy Rankings

Weekly
BYE -
Season
WR {{playerPageAppVar.projectionForRestOfSeason && playerPageAppVar.projectionForRestOfSeason.rank[selectedScoringConfig.fantasyPtsKey] ? playerPageAppVar.projectionForRestOfSeason.rank[selectedScoringConfig.fantasyPtsKey].rank : "-"}}
Dynasty
WR28

2025 Projections

Rec Rec Yds Rec TDs Fantasy Pts
{{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rec_catch.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rec_yds.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rec_tds.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection[selectedScoringConfig.fantasyPtsKey].toFixed(1) : '0'}}

DS 3D Projection

Jaylen Waddle's Preseason Player Analysis

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Waddle managed only 3.8 catches and 49.6 yards per game. Both marks ranked outside the top-45 pass catchers. He added a career-low two TDs.

Waddle spiked with games of 109, 144, and 99 yards. Otherwise, he was a fantasy non-factor, hurt by an injured Tua Tagovailoa.

In 10 games with Tua, Waddle averaged:

  • 4.1 catches
  • 60.4 yards
  • .2 TDs

In five games without Tua, Waddle averaged:

  • 3.4 catches
  • 32.6 yards
  • 0 TDs

Waddle finished 49th in total PPR points and 53rd in points per game.

Usage & Role

Dolphins WRs combined for a 50.4% team share -- sixth lowest league-wide. Waddle tallied a career-low 16.6% target share.

He averaged just 5.2 targets per game, fourth on the team behind Tyreek Hill, Jonnu Smith, and De’Von Achane.

Waddle’s 9.8-yard average depth of target marked his lowest figure since 2021. Meanwhile, only 8.4% of his 83 targets traveled 20+ air yards. Among 104 qualifiers, only Amon-Ra St. Brown posted a lower rate.

Efficiency Metrics

A short-range role led to a strong 70% catch rate. Waddle’s 1.53 yards per route run easily marked a career low, though.

He also set career lows in yards after catch per reception (4.1), missed tackles forced per reception (.05), and PFF receiving grade (71.5).

Among 116 qualifiers, Waddle ranked 54th in ESPN's Open Score.

Offensive Context

Miami ranked 18th in total yards and 22nd in points.

The Fins ranked 11th in pass rate (58.6%), up slightly from 2023.

Historical Production & Trends

Before 2024, Waddle hit 70+ catches and 1,000+ yards in three straight seasons.

Since his rookie year, we’ve also seen a trend develop in his alignment. Waddle played a primarily slot role as a rookie – and then handled at least 71% of the snaps out wide in three consecutive years.

Injury History

Waddle missed two games with a late-season right knee injury. He didn’t need offseason surgery.

Waddle’s now missed five games over the past two seasons. A high-ankle sprain – the second of his career – cost him time in 2023.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Waddle returns to the No. 2 WR role behind Tyreek Hill.

Miami added former Titans WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in free agency (2 years, $5.9 million). He’ll fill the No. 3 spot.

Jonnu Smith enters his second season in Miami. We expect Waddle and Smith to act as co-No. 2 targets.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Waddle enters the season with offensive continuity. HC Mike McDaniel and OC Frank Smith return for their fourth season together.

The Dolphins have ranked 24th, 23rd, and 7th in offensive plays per game under McDaniel. His units have ranked 13th, 20th, and 8th in pass attempts, and 4th, 1st, and 15th in passing yards.

Waddle also enters year four alongside Tua Tagovailoa.

Tua’s injury history continues to add a risk factor for Waddle. Miami at least upgraded the talent at QB2 with the signing of former Round 1 pick Zach Wilson.

Look for Waddle’s usage to remain heavy on short targets, as Miami limits Tua’s exposure to hits.

Advanced Stats

Forty Yard Dash

4.43

Forty Yard Dash Rank

86%

Speed Score

88.40

Speed Score Rank

33%

Height Adjusted Speed Score

0.00

Height Adjusted Speed Score Rank

0%

VIEW MORE ADVANCED STATS

Related Articles

Premium Content Premium ContentJaylen Waddle Could Make Your Season If This One Thing Breaks His Way ...

Jaylen Waddle Could Make Your Season If This One Thing Breaks His Way ...

2:49pm UTC 6/13/25

The Dolphins return Jaylen Waddle along with the rest of the key offensive pieces. But they need a healthy Tua to turn 2024 disappointment into 2025 league winners.

Read More »
What We Got Wrong in 2024

What We Got Wrong in 2024

5:30pm UTC 3/6/25

What did we miss with Ladd McConkey ahead of his impactful rookie season? The answer to that and other misses will strengthen your 2025 drafting.

Read More »

Shark Bites

Jaylen Waddle WR MIA
2:56pm UTC 1/5/25

Jaylen Waddle Active

Jaylen Waddle Active

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Jets. He practiced all week, including a full workout on Friday, so the knee shouldn’t be a major issue. But Waddle is a shaky WR3 with QB Tyler Huntley under center.

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Jets. He practiced all week, including a full workout on Friday, so he should play. But Waddle is a shaky WR3 with QB Tyler Huntley under center.

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that the team is preparing QB Tyler Huntley to start this weekend's game vs. the Jets. QB Tua Tagovailoa will be limited in practice on Wednesday with his hip injury, and it sounds like he hasn't been ruled out for Week 18 yet. But fantasy owners should be planning as if it'll be Huntley under center again for now. He played well in the Week 17 win over the Browns, completing 22 of 26 passes (85%) for 225 yards (8.7 YPA) and one TD, adding another 52 yards and a score on the ground. Just as importantly, the Dolphins stayed pass-heavy, registering a +11% pass rate over expected. That makes it easier to trust guys like WR Tyreek Hill and TE Jonnu Smith in Week 18 fantasy lineups, although Huntley is still a downgrade from Tagovailoa.

Compare Plans » Compare Plans »