JaylenWaddle

News: 6 days agoDolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday he doesn't plan to play the starters, including Waddle, during Saturday's preseason game against the Lions, Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post reports.

Spin: Waddle sat out Miami's preseason opener due to a collision that occurred during joint practices with the Bears, but he returned to practice this week and has participated in team drills against Detroit. He'll need to wait until the Dolphins' preseason finale against the Jaguars on Sat., Aug. 23, however, for a chance to see exhibition reps. Meanwhile, Tyreek Hill (oblique) has not yet returned to practice.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Waddle enters his fifth NFL season after a somewhat inexplicable down year in 2024. Granted, he wasn't fully healthy at times (and missed two games), but Waddle's target share dipped from 20%-plus during his first three seasons to 16% last season (56th among WRs). He posted career-low marks in every key category and ranked 52nd in fantasy PPG after finishing 21st or better in each of his first three seasons. Same as Tyreek Hill, Waddle seemingly suffered from Miami facing two-high safeties at a league-high rate, and with both back for 2025, we may see more of the same. Waddle has the talent to allow a bounce-back campaign (especially with Hill entering his age-31 season), but he can't be trusted as more than a WR3.