With the sixth pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select Jaylen Waddle, receiver, Alabama.
Analysis: This is a great class of receivers, and how you might stack these players could come down to personal preference. What elevates Waddle in my mind is his route-running and his ability to use pace to influence — and beat — defenders in a variety of coverage situations. Separation is not a concern with him, and if you can get open in the SEC, you can get open at the next level. He might not offer the ability to align as an X receiver at the next level, and his ability against press coverage is more of an “incomplete” grade, but as we saw last year with Jefferson, if you can get open and have shown instances of beating press in the past, you have an NFL future.
Grade: A. This was the pick I had for Miami at six in my latest mock, so I obviously like it. Here’s what I wrote.
Now that the Dolphins have put their full commitment behind Tua Tagovailoa as their franchise quarterback, it’s time for them to get as many high-caliber targets as possible to accentuate Tagovailoa’s timing-and-rhythm passing traits. There may be no more perfect match in that regard than Waddle, who brings great short- and intermediate-area route awareness to the table, along with explosive after-catch speed that brings Tyreek Hill to mind. Adding Waddle to a receiver group that already includes DeVante Parker and Will Fuller could push Miami’s passing game over the top.