Introduction to the Dolphins’ New Challenge
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel doesn’t see Jaylen Waddle balking at the chance to be the Miami Dolphins’ No. 1 receiver. Tyreek Hill has been the centerpiece of Miami’s high-flying offense the past few years but the All-Pro receiver will be sidelined the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, so the Dolphins will rely on Waddle to help fill the huge offensive hole left by Hill’s absence.
The Dolphins’ Confidence in Jaylen Waddle
McDaniel believes Waddle is up for the challenge. He noted the Dolphins have always viewed the speedy receiver in the same tier as Hill — not just as a complementary piece, but as a star in his own right. Waddle hasn’t been a primary target since his rookie season, but he and the Dolphins will be tasked with figuring out a new-look offense as they hope to build on their first win of the season. “I think he’s done a fantastic job being an elite receiver, playing with another elite receiver,” McDaniel said of Waddle. “He’s very, very much ready for this moment, as he has seen himself as a One. And we’ve approached it the same way. So there shouldn’t be really an adjustment for Jaylen Waddle because he himself stands alone.”
Jaylen Waddle’s Past Performance
Waddle has 17 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the first four games of the season. Hill had 21 receptions for 265 yards and a touchdown before he got injured on Monday night. Waddle said it will be difficult to replicate Hill’s production and personality, but he has picked up several pointers playing alongside him since 2022. “How he approaches the game is unique,” Waddle said. “His preparation, him just being him, honestly, you can just take a lot from his prep.”
Tua Tagovailoa’s Perspective
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who played with Waddle in college at Alabama, relied on him heavily during Waddle’s rookie season in 2021. That was before McDaniel arrived in 2022 and overhauled the offense with his innovative wrinkles, and when Miami’s passing game lacked the playmaking firepower it has now. Tagovailoa recalled how Waddle had to grow up quickly with little time to adjust from college to the pros, and he delivered. Waddle set an NFL rookie record at the time with 104 catches, finishing with 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. “College is such a different thing than coming into the NFL,” Tagovailoa said. “How he went about his business that year, just things that we asked of him. He took it upon himself, too, that year that like, ‘I can’t be a rookie. This isn’t the year for me to be a rookie. I’ve got to come in, and I’ve got to go and ball for this team.’”
Waddle’s Growth and Future
Waddle put together 1,000-yard seasons his first three years in the league — the ninth receiver in NFL history to begin a career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons. “So it’s one of those (things) where we get right back into that,” Tagovailoa added. “Jaylen understands the offense a lot better than he did the first year Mike came here, so I trust that he’s going to be where he needs to be.” Tagovailoa predicted defenses may play the Dolphins differently without Hill and Waddle sharing the field. That hasn’t happened often. Hill has only missed one game — Week 15 of the 2023 season because of an ankle injury — since he joined the team. Waddle had eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown that game.
Adjusting to the New Offense
“Jaylen knows that doesn’t give way to me just always looking for him as the target,” Tagovailoa said. “We’ve got to go through the progression and see what the defense wants to run now that 10 (Hill) is out.” With Hill and Waddle’s ability to stretch defenses vertically, opponents have leaned heavily on two-high safety looks against Miami to limit explosive plays downfield. Without Hill, though, that approach could change. Waddle will surely see more attention from defenders, and defenses may feel more comfortable stacking the box to slow down the run. “That’s the beauty of football,” Tagovailoa said. “We’ll see on Sunday what they want to do defensively, if they do want to keep a shell. Or if they want to fit the box and just tell us, ‘hey, pass the ball on us,’ then we’ll adjust accordingly.”
Conclusion
The Dolphins are confident in Jaylen Waddle’s ability to step up as the No. 1 receiver after Tyreek Hill’s injury. With Waddle’s past performance and growth, the team believes he is ready for this moment. The new-look offense will require adjustments, but with Waddle’s understanding of the offense and Tagovailoa’s trust in him, the Dolphins are hopeful for a successful season.
FAQs
Q: Who will be the Dolphins’ No. 1 receiver after Tyreek Hill’s injury?
A: Jaylen Waddle will be the Dolphins’ No. 1 receiver.
Q: How many catches does Waddle have in the first four games of the season?
A: Waddle has 17 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
Q: What is Waddle’s past performance like?
A: Waddle put together 1,000-yard seasons his first three years in the league and set an NFL rookie record with 104 catches in 2021.
Q: How will defenses play the Dolphins differently without Hill and Waddle sharing the field?
A: Defenses may play differently without Hill, and Waddle will surely see more attention from defenders.
Q: What is the team’s approach to the new-look offense?
A: The team will adjust accordingly to the defense’s approach and go through the progression to find the open target.
