Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle predicted to make 'huge leap' in 2023

Despite not winning a playoff game since 2000, the Miami Dolphins enter this season with Super Bowl ambitions, and to do so, wideout Jaylen Waddle must continue his rapid development.

The Athletic’s Mike Jones recently released his list of the NFL's top players 25 and under, which incorporates the input of anonymous coaches and front-office executives to compile rankings. 

While Waddle is the second option in Miami's passing attack, he landed at No. 11 on Jones' list, the third-highest-ranked wide receiver behind Minnesota's Justin Jefferson and Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase.

According to Jones, some within the Dolphins organization anticipate Waddle making a “huge leap” in his third season that will earn him recognition as one of the league's premier pass catchers.

"Two seasons, two 1,000-plus-yard receiving campaigns for the Alabama product, including 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022," Jones wrote. "Members of the Dolphins organization who observed his offseason approach and growth during OTAs predict he will take another huge leap and cement his place among the elite at wide receiver." 

The 24-year-old spent a lot of time in the weight room this offseason, bulking up to break tackles, particularly downfield, and help endure the rigors of the NFL season. 

Waddle didn't disclose how much muscle he gained, but he looks noticeably larger than his 5-foot-10, 185-pound listing on the team's website.