The Miami Dolphins are welcoming in a number of rookies to minicamp this weekend, but the vast majority of fans are keeping their eyes peeled for two names in particular and any highlights the team is willing to disclose on social media: wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and EDGE defender Jaelan Phillips. The spotlight that comes with being top-20 overall selections is hard to ignore — and both Jaylen and Jaelan are going to have to rise to high level expectations to be what the Dolphins and their fans are hoping for in 2021.
What exactly are those expectations? To be a key part of the puzzle that, when solved, helps push Miami over the top and back into the postseason.
But the expectations are high elsewhere, as well. The betting odds provide a favorable forecast for both Waddle and Phillips as they brace for their respective rookie seasons — with odds near the top of the charts to be named as the NFL’s offensive or defensive rookies of the year. BetMGM has Waddle listed as the 10th best offensive rookie odds for 2021, at +1800. That figure trails only Kyle Pitts, Ja’Marr Chase, Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith among non-quarterbacks. Trailing Waddle just outside the top-10 is Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne (+2500).
Phillips, on the other hand, has even less competition for the top spot on the defensive side of the ball. He’s currently credited by BetMGM as the 2nd best odds (+650) for the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year award, trailing only Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons (+400). Washington’s Jamin Davis and Indianapolis’ Kwity Paye rank as the next highest on the list at +900, meaning the odds consider Phillips generally in a class above the vast majority of the competition.
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