(Photo: The New York Times)
I was always in awe of the talent Nick Saban recruited for his Alabama Crimson Tide teams during his tenure, and how a majority of that talent would enter the NFL Draft and make its way to the next level. I know Ohio State has been labeled as “Wide Receiver U,” and deservedly so, but Alabama can make a strong case as well. Julio Jones played for the Tide, along with Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith, who put together one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen from a wide receiver in college and won the Heisman. A guy named Jaylen Waddle also played his college ball in Tuscaloosa for the GOAT. After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins, it was announced that the Denver Broncos have acquired the wide receiver.
The Dolphins drafted Jaylen in the first round with the sixth overall pick in 2021, a year after selecting Tua Tagovailoa as their franchise quarterback. The two were teammates at Alabama for a few seasons, so that connection was already there. The biggest weapon in Jaylen’s game is his speed and his ability to create separation. He accelerates instantly, allowing him to get past defenders on deep routes, while also creating separation on crossers, slants, and motion plays. With that same speed, he can turn short passes into long gains. What I respect about Jaylen is that he doesn’t rely solely on speed—he can do damage underneath as well. I’ve seen him make catches on short routes and turn them into chunk plays, giving his offense a spark. It doesn’t matter what route he runs or where he lines up—he finds a way to make a play on the ball. Another thing that stands out is that he’s not the biggest receiver, but he attacks the ball like a bigger one, climbing the ladder as if he’s grabbing a rebound on a basketball court. He plays with zero fear and doesn’t care who’s defending him—he’ll fight to come away with the ball. Jaylen also brings versatility to an offense, as he can line up wide on the perimeter or in the slot, and his explosiveness shows up everywhere. He uses his speed to his full advantage—he can sell the deep route, then break in or out to create space, making him a deceptive route runner. He’s also a reliable chain mover and was a go-to target for Tua on third downs to keep drives alive.
I knew the Dolphins were heading toward a rebuild, so hearing they traded him didn’t shock me. I like this move for the Broncos because it gives Bo Nix another weapon, and with an offensive-minded coach like Sean Payton, he adds a versatile piece who can be used in multiple ways. Jaylen gives Denver the ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays, something they’ll look to improve this upcoming season. He joins a team that won its division for the first time in a decade, finished with 14 wins, secured the top seed in the AFC, and came within one game of the Super Bowl. His presence alone helps keep defenses honest.
