Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle continues the trend of phenomenal Crimson Tide wide receivers who carry a high-first round draft projection. An electric playmaker who can change the momentum of a game on a single play, Waddle has the skills to reset any potential landing spot’s depth chart and take over the offense. Which franchises should keep their eyes on the Alabama product during the 2021 NFL Draft?
Jaylen Waddle’s 2021 NFL Draft projection
Of the wide receivers likely to go well inside the first round of the NFL Draft, Waddle might be the most explosive of the bunch. In open space, Waddle is a defender’s worst nightmare. His low-4.3 speed destroys angles of would-be tacklers. You know it, they know it, and so do NFL coaches.
Waddle ended his career with 106 receptions for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns across 34 games in three seasons. As a returner, he racked up 947 yards and 3 touchdowns on 47 kicks.
Best landing spots for Waddle
Several teams inside the top 15 picks are presumably going to select a receiver. Most draft projections have Waddle coming off the board as the WR3, including PFN’s Chief Draft Analyst and NFL Insider Tony Pauline’s, who ranks him as his 11th overall prospect on his big board.
New York Giants
Although the Giants signed Kenny Golladay to a massive contract in the offseason, they are not out of the Waddle sweepstakes. If this were to happen, you would be hard-pressed to find a more dangerous group of pass catchers. Teams do not have enough defenders to stop Golladay, Waddle, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Evan Engram, and Saquon Barkley (one of the best receiving backs in the NFL).
If he is on the board, it would be a no-brainer for Dave Gettleman, which could also mean he goes a different route. Regardless, Waddle would shine under the bright lights of the Big Apple and bring an elite wide receiver to a team that has been searching for one since Odell Beckham Jr.
Detroit Lions
As we just discussed, Golladay is no longer on the Detroit Lions — same for Marvin Jones. To supplement their workload, the Lions brought in Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams. This is the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL, and there’s a sizeable gap to the next team.
The Lions have more unaccounted targets from 2020 than any other team in the NFL. Over 59% of their targets (394) and a staggering 72.4% of their air yards (3,519) are up for grabs. Waddle would settle in and see 110 targets without ever breaking a sweat. If both DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase are already selected, expect the Lions to take a serious look at Waddle.
Tennessee Titans
With Corey Davis now a Jet and Jonnu Smith in New England, the Titans lost players who accounted for 56.6% of their intended air yards and 47% of their touchdowns. This includes 48.3% of the receptions inside the 10-yard line.
Here is what makes this team different from than ones mentioned above — the Titans already have an alpha. A.J. Brown is a top-five receiver in the NFL and proved his YAC and innate scoring abilities are no fluke. Pairing Brown with the most electric player in this class would create one of the most dynamic 1-2 punches in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins
I know Dolphins fans are infatuated with reuniting Tua Tagovailoa and Smith. But why is everyone also ignoring the “other” guy from that Crimson Tide receiving group? This is not a new debate, obviously, and deserves its own article deciphering the two. While there is no doubt both of their careers will always be tied at the hip, Waddle could do just as well in Miami, and fans should consider this. I can guarantee you Brian Flores has.
PFN’s Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline recently reported that the Dolphins are actually heavily considering Waddle with the sixth overall pick. “After speaking with people, what I can tell you about the Miami Dolphins at six is this — the team is seemingly moving away from DeVonta Smith and towards either Penei Sewell or Smith’s Alabama teammate, Jaylen Waddle.”
No question, Smith was the best player in 2020, but he would never have enjoyed the season he did with Waddle on the field for an entire campaign. Smith is a technician, but Waddle breaks the sound barrier coming off the line and out of breaks. He can lineup all over the field and has instant chemistry with Tua. The Dolphins need someone who can generate yards after the reception — no one is better at that in the 2021 NFL Draft class than Waddle.
Philadelphia Eagles
Nearly everyone suspects Howie Roseman and the Eagles to select a wide receiver with pick No. 12. I said the Lions have the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL — well, coming in 31st would be the Eagles. While I have been a Jalen Reagor fan, it’s hard to see him being a true No. 1. Outside of him, it’s an uninspiring amalgamation of Greg Ward, Travis Fulgham, Quez Watkins, and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.
If they want to give Jalen Hurts a fair shot for success, addressing the receiver room needs to happen. On a recent podcast with ESPN Insider Adam Schefter, Hurts was pressed to answer which Alabama WR would have the better career — his answer was Waddle. The possibility of this was higher when the team still held the No. 6 overall selection, but if Waddle slips to the floor of his draft projection, the Eagles could turn this into a reality.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.