As we close in toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move, with key events like free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft still to come. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the dynasty rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle.
Jaylen Waddle’s Dynasty Outlook and Value
The WR8 overall in 2022, Waddle avoided the drop in value many feared would happen with Tyreek Hill coming to Miami. Actually, his value went up.
Waddle is my WR5 in dynasty wide receiver rankings behind Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and A.J. Brown. Waddle is special and everything we hoped he would be coming from Alabama. He fits perfectly in this new offense, capitalizing in space and decimating pursuit angles.
Recording 1,356 yards (No. 7), Waddle caught 75 of his 117 targets for a team-high eight touchdowns and finished 13th in fantasy points per game with 15.6 PPR on average. Waddle averaged not only more yards per reception (18.1 to 14.4), but he also led the team in YAC/rec at 6.9 to 4.1 and xYAC/r at 4.4. Additionally, only Hill (3.2) and Jefferson (2.62) finished ahead of Waddle in YPRR in 2022 (2.59).
With three years remaining on his rookie contract, Waddle is a cornerstone player you can build your WR corps around. But he’s not perfect.
Similar to Hill, Waddle’s boom games carried him in 2022. He was a WR1 in 35% of his games (six), but those games accounted for 63% of his fantasy production. In the other 11, Waddle was a WR3+ in 10 of them and averaged 9.6 PPR when not a top-12 receiver.
A prime reason for this was the absence of Tua Tagovailoa. Without Tua, Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson focused on Hill as the No. 1 and couldn’t keep both WRs viable. But with Tua, Waddle was a WR1. In the 12 games with Tagovailoa, Waddle averaged 7.4 targets, 4.7 receptions, 89.7 yards, 0.67 TDs, and 17.95 PPR. Without him (five), Waddle dropped to just 9.56 PPR, 3.8 receptions on 5.4 targets for 55.8 yards, and zero touchdowns.
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Ranking
Waddle is unquestionably a WR1 in talent, but to hit his true value, he needs Tua on the field to maximize his upside. With that said, Waddle is one of the highest-valued non-QBs in dynasty and is a first-round pick in 1QB formats. His upside is far too high, and given the length of time for Waddle to remain in his prime, the sky is the limit.
With free agency kicking off, Waddle is the WR5 in PPR formats, making him one of the most valuable players in all of fantasy, and he comes in ahead of his teammate, Hill, at WR9. Additionally, in Superflex leagues, where quarterbacks see an increase in value due to positional scarcity, Waddle is the No. 14 overall ranked player. In dynasty startup drafts, if you’re not drafting a QB early, going with a wide receiver is the next best decision to make.
MORE: Top Dynasty WR Trade Targets 2023
Miami picking up Tua’s fifth-year option is a great sign for the stability of Waddle’s value, as the connection between the two can only be rivaled by that of maybe Joe Burrow and Chase. With that said, Waddle is unique. He has a transcendent skill set that can translate regardless of his uniform.
Young, high-upside receivers are one of the most valuable assets to roster in dynasty, and outside of QBs, no pick tends to maintain its value for longer. Given this is a particularly weaker class, players like Waddle only take a bump up in value.