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The 2021 offseason has brought no shortage of new names in new places. And for many of the young offensive talents across the league, efforts have been put forward to pair standouts with new weaponry and complementary skillsets. From Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith to Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle, there are reunions and new NFL pairings aplenty in the NFL for the 2021 season.
But which of these new pairings is the most exciting duo for the season ahead? If you ask NFL Hall of Fame scout Gil Brandt, that honor belongs to the Dolphins’ duo of Tagovailoa and Waddle. Brandt highlighted the ten most exciting new pairs of weapons in football and gave the top spot to Miami’s Crimson Tide-themed pair.
“Tua Tagovailoa is feeling healthier and more comfortable than he did in 2020, meaning he won’t have many excuses to not take a major step forward in 2021. The addition of a familiar face from Tagovailoa’s days running Alabama’s offense should make the QB even comfier. Jaylen Waddle never led the Crimson Tide in receptions or yards in any of his three years there, but he packed a lot of punch into his touches, racking up 18.1 yards per catch during the seasons he spent with Tagovailoa as the starter (2018 and ’19) and finishing 2020 with an outstanding 21.2 yards per reception. I think Waddle might be the Class of 2021’s best overall receiver, and I expect him to provide a game-breaking element that the Dolphins’ offense in general — and Tagovailoa specifically — sorely missed last season.” — Gil Brandt, NFL.com
If Brandt’s vibe on the Dolphins’ offense is accurate, then the Miami Dolphins figure to be in for one hell of an exciting year. Brandt’s praise extends beyond the ranking of No. 1 for the QB/WR duo, as it should be earmarked that Brandt believes Waddle “might be” the best overall receiver of this past year’s NFL draft.
If Miami got that in a trade down from No. 3 overall, the Dolphins’ upward trend of the last two seasons will be due for another big bump before stabilizing as an annual contender.