Dolphins’ Malik Willis disappointed Jaylen Waddle is no longer his No. 1 WR originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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As the Miami Dolphins enter a new era without head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, things look promising under new head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis, both of whom are from the Green Bay Packers.
Despite entering a new era, the Dolphins will do so without their best wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle, whom the Dolphins traded to the Denver Broncos in March. Waddle had 910 yards receiving (64 receptions and 10.7 yards per) and six touchdowns in 16 games.
Without Waddle, Willis is down one of his best weapons to throw to, but he understands he has no say in the matter and focuses on doing his job. Willis signed with the Dolphins (three years, $67.5 million contract with $45 million fully guaranteed) on March 9 and had Waddle go to the Broncos a little over a week later (March 17).
Malik Willis knows that the Miami Dolphins’ decision to trade Jaylen Waddle is “above his pay grade”
“It was unfortunate, for sure, to say the least,” Willis said Tuesday from Dolphins organized team activities to Eric Edholm of NFL.com. “That’s a really good player and I would have loved to play with him, but that’s above my pay grade, brother. Out of my hands.”
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Willis’s options at wide receiver with Waddle gone are few and far between. On the current roster, the Dolphins have two listed on the depth chart: Malik Washington and Tahj Washington. Malik and Tahj’s combined production from last season doesn’t come close to matching Waddle’s (260 yards), which would require a major step-up.
The Dolphins did sign wide receivers Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and Terrace Marshall Jr. in free agency for depth, while also adding receivers Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell (in the third round), plus Kevin Coleman Jr. (fifth round) via the Draft. According to Edholm, picking Bell came “directly” from a pick in the Waddle trade.
For the Dolphins to be better than their 7-10 record from last season, better production from their wide receiver core is key.
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