Jaylen Waddle has been a star receiver in the league already for the Miami Dolphins.
But, is there another dimension to Waddle’s game around the bend? Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel seems to think so.
Asked if he’s seen anything different from Waddle’s game with fellow Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill out during OTAs, McDaniel described a hungry fifth-year professional.
“I see a guy that’s ready to earn growth to a game that’s already top tier within the National Football League. It’s exciting for me and exciting for when I go out on the field, because he’s humbly approaching his craft, attacking it, so that he’s not satisfied with any part of his game,” McDaniel said.
The fourth-year Dolphins head coach has been pleased with Waddle’s grasp of what his presence and daily work ethic mean to the franchise.
“I think one thing that has been really cool to watch is his understanding of who he is on the team, how much we depend on his playmaking ability, but also how much we depend on how he is as a football player in extremely non-selfish ways. He’s very active in the run game. He’s very active in just really doing whatever he can to benefit the other pass eligibles.
“Realistically, I’m really excited about what 2025 has in store for him, based upon the excitement that he gives me every day attacking his craft. So today should be a good day, and he’ll go back to the drawing board and chop wood the next. That’s kind of been his formula this offseason and I think it’s benefiting him,” McDaniel said.
Though Waddle is coming off career-lows in catches (58), yards (744) and touchdowns (2), the Alabama alum already owns three 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his abbreviated NFL career and has flashed his brilliance throughout his four seasons in Miami.
If there’s another dimension to be found, that’s scary news for opposing defenses, but a fantastic development for Miami as the franchise may soon be looking toward a future where Waddle is the organization’s No. 1 receiver.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins excited to see Jaylen Waddle ‘attacking his craft’ in OTAs