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The Miami Dolphins have made their first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, adding Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle with the sixth-overall selection. The move provides second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with an immediate weapon on the outside and creates a trio of receivers featuring Waddle, DeVante Parker, and Will Fuller V.
Waddle spent three years at Alabama, playing in 15 games as a freshman, 13 games as a sophomore, and six as a junior, with his season ending early due to an ankle injury. He caught 106 passes for 1,999 yards (18.9 average) in his collegiate career, with 17 touchdowns.
Adding Waddle gives Miami an immediate piece to plug into the slot, though Waddle is not strictly a inside receiver. Despite his 5-foot-10, 182-pound frame, Waddle’s speed and athleticism allows him to high point passes and break away from cornerbacks. Adding him to the roster also reunites him with his college quarterback in Tagovailoa.
Miami is on the clock again with the 18th overall pick, where they could look to add another weapon for Tagovailoa, potentially Alabama running back Najee Harris or Clemson running back Travis Etienne, an offensive lineman to shore up protection in front of Tagovailoa, or possible a missing piece on defense, where an edge rusher or a linebacker could be in the cards.
The rest of Miami’s draft picks are:
Round 1, Pick 6 (6) - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Round 1, Pick 18 (18) -
Round 2, Pick 4 (36)
Round 2, Pick 18 (50)
Round 3, Pick 18 (81)
Round 5, Pick 12 (156)
Round 7, Pick 3 (231)
Round 7, Pick 16 (244)