With a lot of vacant targets in Alabama this year, Jaylen Waddle is making the most of his opportunity and NFL teams know that.
Speed kills in the NFL, which essentially makes Jaylen Waddle an assassin. The Crimson Tide is rolling high when targeting the junior wide receiver, who is ripping off a staggering 22.3 yards per catch this season. With that insane deep ball ability, Waddle is a threat to bring it to the house whenever the ball is in his hands as evidenced by his 90-yard dash to the end zone against Georgia.
In this installment of Devy Diamonds, let’s mine through what kind of value Jaylen Waddle has to offer devy managers or any brilliant, forward thinking dynasty managers stashing 2021 draft picks.
The fastest #NCAAF ball carrier from week 6 was @AlabamaFTBL WR Jaylen Waddle (@D1__JW) who reached a max speed of 21.5 MPH on this 90-yard TD#myRAmaxspeed | 🎥 @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/DfBJelk4Lz
— Recruiting Analytics (@RAanalytics) October 20, 2020
@FF_Banterman’s Breaking It Down:
- Size: 5’10”, 182 lbs.
- 2018 Numbers:
- 45 catches, 848 receiving yards, 18.8 YPR, 7 TDs, 1 return TD
- 2019 Numbers:
- 33 catches, 560 receiving yards, 17.0 YPR, 6 TDs, 2 return TDs
- 2020 number:
- 25 catches, 557 receiving yards, 22.3 YPR, 4 TDs in only 4 games
- Awards/Recognition:
- 2019 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year
- 2018 SEC Freshman of the Year
GOODBYE JAYLEN WADDLE! 90 YARDS TO THE HOUSE! pic.twitter.com/SCaA6rYY9e
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 18, 2020
- Strengths:
- Elite speed, agility and explosiveness- instantly becomes one of the most dynamic players in the NFL
- Acceleration is unreal- hits his top speed QUICKLY
- Athletic freak capable of making leaping acrobatic catches and turning off-target passes into completions
- One-cut and gone type of home run hitter as both a receiver and returner
- Potential slot monster at the next level
- Weaknesses:
- Could build a more developed route tree
- Needs to show reliability over the middle, but has shown potential in that aspect
- Occasionally breaks off his routes too wide, giving his defender opportunity to recover
- Must work on his hands usage at his release- important at the NFL level
The Bottom Line:
After an explosive freshman campaign, Waddle was a bit of a buy low candidate after his “average” sophomore year. Waddle still put up solid numbers in his sophomore campaign, while battling for targets behind two 2019 1st round picks in Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy for targets and another Devy Diamond in Devonta Smith. Despite being behind both 2020 rookies and Smith’s monstrous TD total in 2019, Waddle could easily up being the best of the bunch.
In addition to his blazing speed as seen above, the slot monster also offers elite agility that makes defender miss and leave them regularly tackling air. Once Waddle touches the ball, he reaches his top speed in what seems like a millisecond, but still has the body control to make cuts on a dime. The precision moves leaves his defenders baffled as they turn and watch him flying down the field. He truly is the specialest of return specialists.
AMAZING.
This Jaylen Waddle touchdown return is a work of art. pic.twitter.com/4ZcGsgYp42
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 30, 2019
The former 4-star 247Sports prospect may offer the best value in the 2021 rookie drafts. Waddle is not demanding nearly as much attention and hype as Rashod Bateman, Ja’Marr Chase or Rondale Moore. The 2021 rookie draft is also loaded at the top at QB and RB as well, which only helps Waddle already an unreal value at the backend of rookie drafts. In Superflex formats, the Texas native won’t rise higher than a mid-1st round selection which is still a fantastic return for such a dangerous and versatile offensive weapon.
@ff_banterman’s Pick Target for Jaylen Waddle
- NFL Player Trade Value Equivalent:
- Michael Gallup– a very talented WR in a crowded situation is a great move for a true Devy Diamond
- Insanely Early 2021 Rookie Draft Projection:
- 1QB Leagues: Top 7-8 pick
- SF Leagues: Top 9-10 pick (3 QBs, 3 RBs, 3 WRs potentially ahead of him)
