On verge of breaking NFL record, Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle named team MVP
Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is on the verge of breaking Anquan Boldin’s rookie reception record, was named Dan Marino Most Valuable Player by local media Thursday.
Waddle, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, is the first rookie to be named MVP since Zach Thomas in 1996. He leads the Dolphins in receptions (99) and receiving yards (988), both franchise rookie records, and has six total touchdowns. He needs three receptions in the regular-season finale against the New England Patriots on Sunday to set the rookie record for receptions in a single season.
Waddle is the fifth rookie to win the award and the fifth receiver to be honored.
Meanwhile, safety Jason McCourty was given the Don Shula Leadership Award, as voted on by his teammates. He’s the seventh player to win the award in his first season with the team.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts was the Dolphins’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. Roberts was honored after returning from a severe knee injury sustained in Week 16 of the 2020 season. He returned to the team activities late in training camp, was voted a team captain and has set career-highs this season for tackles.
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips was given the Nat Moore Community Service Award, becoming the first rookie to be honored since the award’s inception in 1987. Phillips’ charitable acts include helping Surfside residents following the condo collapse and for Haiti Relief following the earthquakes in August 2021.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 1:03 PM.
