Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Waddle had a productive college career, totaling 106 receptions for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns in three years at Alabama.
More importantly, the former Crimson Tide star had an excellent rookie season. He totaled 104 receptions on 140 targets for 1,015 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, some had concerns that Waddle would struggle with the arrival of Tyreek Hill. Instead, the former Alabama star had 75 receptions on 117 targets for 1,356 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Furthermore, Waddle led the NFL in yards per reception (18.1) in 2022. Therefore, fantasy players had no issue drafting the former Alabama star as a top-12 wide receiver this year. Unfortunately, he has struggled this year, totaling 30 receptions on 41 targets for 359 receiving yards and two touchdowns in six games.
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What Did Jaylen Waddle Accomplish In Week 7?
Last week, the Dolphins wide receivers had an excellent matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFC East reigning champions have been one of the more fantasy-friendly teams toward wide receivers this year, giving up over 35 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Therefore, Waddle was a popular start candidate in Week 7.
Unfortunately, Waddle had a disappointing performance. He had caught all six targets for 63 receiving yards and scored 9.3 fantasy points. By comparison, Hill had 11 receptions on 15 targets for 88 receiving yards and a touchdown, scoring 20.3 fantasy points against the Eagles. Waddle was the WR30 in Week 7, while Hill was the WR4.
Is Jaylen Waddle Injured Or Healthy?
More importantly, the third-year star wide receiver left last week’s game with a back injury. Waddle had dealt with other injuries earlier this season, giving fantasy players a reason to panic. Thankfully, he had only back spasms and returned to the game.
The good news is that Waddle should be 100% healthy for the Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots. These two teams faced off in Week 2. However, the former Alabama star had only 10.4 fantasy points in the win. Yet, he led the team in receiving yards (86).
Fantasy players have grown frustrated with Waddle’s lack of production. However, the third-year wide receiver is too talented to bench. Hopefully, he can find the end zone against the Patriots after scoring in two of the past three weeks.
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