With the sixth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Jaylen Waddle, former Alabama wide receiver. He was the second WR selected with Ja’Marr Chase going to the Cincinnati Bengals at pick five.
Waddle played three seasons for the Crimson Tide and appeared in 34 games. His 2020 season was cut short due to injury, and he ended up playing just six games. Waddle was never a truly dominant member of the Alabama receiving corps. He finished his collegiate career with 106 receptions for 1,999 yards and 14 touchdowns. Waddle’s best season came as a freshman when he caught 45 passes for 848 yards. He also scored seven times. He was off to a historic start in 2020 before being injured. In the season’s first four games, he amassed 25 receptions for 557 yards and four touchdowns. If he’d stayed healthy for the entire season, DeVonta Smith probably would not have won the Heisman Trophy.