The Miami Dolphins made two first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, and it’s fair to say they hit on both with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle at No. 6 overall and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips at 18th place overall. Miami would like to keep both players on the roster for years to come, and general manager Chris Grier told reporters Tuesday that the Dolphins would pick up fifth-year options on both players, by ESPN.
If both options are indeed pursued, Waddle will earn $15,591,000 in 2025, while Phillips will earn $13,251,000 per Over The Cap. The deadline to pick up fifth-year options on first-round picks in the 2021 class is Thursday, May 2.
Waddle caught 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, and he had 1,000 receiving yards in each of his three NFL seasons. The 104 receptions he recorded during his rookie campaign set an NFL record, which was just broken last season by Los Angeles Rams rookie Puka Nacua. In 2022, Waddle led the league with 18.1 yards per reception while recording a career-high eight receiving touchdowns.
Waddle is one of the best “No. 2’s” in the league and the future of the franchise, according to teammate Tyreek Hill.
“My boy Waddle is the future,” Hill wrote about X earlier this offseason. “He’s better than me at this point in his career and for people in this fan base to want to trade him is ridiculous.”
Hill added: “Him and Tua [Tagovailoa were] special before me and will be special after I leave.
Phillips, who played some of his college ball at Miami after transferring from UCLA, burst onto the NFL scene with 8.5 sacks during his rookie season despite recording just five starts officials. He was on track for a career year in 2023 before tore his Achilles tendon on Black Friday against the New York Jets. In just eight games played in 2023, Phillips has recorded 43 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks and his first career interception.
Phillips now focuses on what he can control in rehab.
“I’ve been locked in and just motivated to come back for the season,” Phillips said (via NFL.com). “I guess the most important thing I took away from it is understanding that God has a bigger plan and that sometimes in life things happen and it’s hard to find a reason, but the why doesn’t matter. It doesn’t really matter, it’s how you react. For me, just being able to keep my head up through this process, finding positives and understanding that I can use this time to improve. other aspects of my life It’s been great so far.