Jaylen Waddle
- School: Alabama
- Size: 5’10 / 182 lbs
I rate all WRs on a 1- 10 scale. How I rate Waddle on the following:
- Hands: 8
- RAC Ability Overall: 9
- Routes Overall: 8.5
- Elusiveness: 7
- Speed: 9.5
- Strength: 5
- Passion (Fight in the Dawg): 8
- Contested Catch Ability: 7
- Route Tree Capability: 9.5
- Line Of Scrimmage Ability: 8
I also tallied him on the following: (*Just from what I saw. These aren’t final stats in any way.)
Games Watched: 7
Successful Contested Grabs: 6
Broken Tackles: 16
Successful Spin Moves: 1
Successful Stiff Arms: 0
Successful Juke Moves: 10
Routes Won: 45
Fumbles (Fumbles not lost counts here): 0
Overall : 80 /100
Slot/X Position: Can play either but at his size I imagine that slot will be his most productive position.
Upside: Top 25
College Stats:
2018: 45 Catches/848 Yards/7 TDs
2019: 33 Catches/560 Yards/6 TDs
2020: 28 Catches/591 Yards/4 TDs ***5 GP
NOTES:
- He was a very good kick returner. I watched about 10 of his returns
- He’s a good blocker in screen and run game
- Elite speed
- He reads blocks very well after the catch
- Great runner after the catch as well. Possibly elite after the catch
- He has good footwork at the line of scrimmage
- Lines up all over the field and was used a ton in motion for Alabama
- Was used in Jet Sweeps
- Can run good routes out of the backfield as well
- Separates great on out routes which helps a lot of QBs
- Does struggle with bump and run
- Deadly in the flat after the catch
- I do think he is capable of winning outside, but his size worries me out there
- His route running will be elite with coaching
- He’s capable of taking a 7-yard hitch to the house after breaking tackles and then using his deadly speed to score tuddys
- Has some beautiful toe taps on film
- He smoked a few CBs with the double move
- Used in Tap Passes
- Gritty WR
- Defenses often rolled to his side opening up other teammates, big time – Can make teammates better
- Sits down in zones well and remains open
- He’s sometimes 10 yards behind a CB downfield
- Legs always moving after the catch
- Can beat double teams
- I doubt he can be taken away one on one with his speed
Where I’d take him in a rookie draft
I think I’d take him 1.12 or later in a SuperFlex league. Ultimately, there is a considerable drop-off from Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith. Waddle has all the tools, but I am worried if he doesn’t play in the slot. He plays tough, but physically he is limited. Definitely a very talented WR available late in the first round.
