Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle breaks NFL rookie record for catches; Miami benches Jesse Davis
The play itself was a small one Sunday. Jaylen Waddle ran an out route on the Miami Dolphins’ fourth play from scrimmage and caught a 5-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa.
But in the grand scheme of Waddle’s rookie season, it was a record-breaking reception.
The catch on the Dolphins’ opening drive Sunday in Miami Gardens was Waddle’s 102nd of the season, setting the NFL record for most catches by a player in his rookie season. The wide receiver then capped the first drive of the game with a toe-touching touchdown catch to give the Dolphins an early lead on the New England Patriots on the way to a 33-24 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
With 102 catches, Waddle broke Anquan Boldin’s rookie record of 101 that he had held since 2003. Prior to Waddle breaking the record Sunday, the only receiver to get within fewer than 10 catches of Boldin’s rookie record was Michael Thomas, who finished the 2016 season with 92 catches. Saquon Barkley in 2018, Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014 and Eddie Royal in 2008 were the next closest, all with 91 catches in their first NFL season.
Although the NFL added an extra game to its schedule this season, Waddle still set the record in 16. The receiver missed one game last month because of COVID-19.
Waddle said he wasn’t necessarily focusing on breaking the record but did note he was “all for it as long as it comes with some wins.”
And that it has. Waddle caught 48 passes of his passes during the six games he played over the Dolphins’ seven-game win streak that moved Miami from 1-7 into the thick of the playoff race before getting eliminated against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday.
Waddle, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, quickly became a security blanket in the Dolphins’ passing game this season.
He has three games with at least 10 catches. This included 10 catches in the Dolphins’ win against the New Orleans Saints on Monday, tying Jerry Rice’s record for catches by a rookie in a single Monday Night Football game.
Sixty-two of 99 catches entering Sunday either resulted in a first down or a touchdown.
Thirty of 99 catches entering Sunday came on third down, with 22 of those catches moving the sticks.
“He’s definitely created some positive plays for us by getting open at all spots on the field,” Dolphins co-offensive coordinator George Godsey said. “We know that going into each game there’s going to be a plan for him and then it’s we want to make sure that the defense has to adjust. We try to find as many different ways as we can to get him the ball. Inside, outside. ... We try to do as much as possible.”
Also still in reach for Waddle: The Dolphins’ overall single-season reception record. Jarvis Landry has the top two spots on that leaderboard with 112 catches in 2017 and 110 catches in 2015.
Robert Jones replaces Jesse Davis
After nearly a full season of Jesse Davis struggling at right tackle, Miami (9-8) finally made a change Sunday in its regular-season finale.
Robert Jones, an undrafted rookie from the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, made his first career start at right tackle. The offensive lineman had only played on offense in two other games, playing seven snaps against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 and 10 against the New York Jets in Week 15.
Jones, who’s listed as a guard, went into COVID protocols after his 10-snap game against the Jets last month and missed the next game against the New Orleans Saints, then didn’t play at against the Titans before joining the starting lineup for the final game of the regular season.
With the Dolphins officially out of playoff contention after their loss in Tennessee, Jones got a chance for some real regular-season experience and an opportunity to make his case to be a part of Miami’s long-term plans.
Rowe injures back in finale
Eric Rowe limped into the locker room in the third quarter of Dolphins-Patriots and did not return. The safety sustained a back injury and Miami ruled him out during the fourth quarter.
Rowe, who started four games this season, had one tackle before exiting.
This story was originally published January 9, 2022 at 4:34 PM.
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