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Is Jaylen Waddle currently injured or will he be ready to suit up for the start of the regular season? Andersen Pickard discusses Waddle's status as well as his outlook for 2022 fantasy football.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle emerged as a budding star in his rookie season last year, catching 104 passes for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. He was the WR13 for the entire 2021 season, and he posted WR8 numbers from Weeks 6 to 18.
Heading into 2022, Waddle finds himself paired alongside Tyreek Hill in the Dolphins' revamped offense. He also missed some time during the preseason with an injury, prompting questions about his availability for Week 1.
Is Waddle injured? Will he play in Week 1? What is his fantasy football outlook for this coming week?
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Will Jaylen Waddle Play In Week 1?
Waddle was left with an "undisclosed" injury tag for most of the preseason, but head coach Mike McDaniel eventually came out and clarified that the Alabama product was dealing with a lower-body soft tissue injury. He will suit up for Sunday's season opener against the New England Patriots.
What Is Jaylen Waddle's Fantasy Football Outlook?
Heading into 2022, Waddle should be viewed as a high-end WR2. The addition of Hill won't cost him too many targets since the ex-Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver can work to receive a healthy share of DeVante Parker's 7.3 vacated targets per game. The Dolphins offense is trending up and can definitely support top-12 seasons from both Waddle and Hill. He's an extremely appealing pick at his current ADP of 40 (WR17).
Waddle has an opportunity to feast as soon as Week 1. Not only does he appear to be 100 percent, but he's playing against a weak Patriots cornerback room that lost J.C. Jackson to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency and saw Malcolm Butler suffer a season-ending injury. As such, it'll be Jonathan Jones and Jalen Mills tasked with covering Hill and Waddle this coming week. There's a clear opportunity for both receivers to thrive, especially if tight end Mike Gesicki is held in check by New England's strong safeties.
For some context, Waddle produced nine catches, 88 yards, and two touchdowns (for 29.8 fantasy points) through two games against the Patriots last season.
Go ahead and insert Waddle into all of your lineups, including DFS. He's fully healthy and ready to thrive in the up-and-coming Miami offense.
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