3 Most Overrated Players in the AFC East Heading Into 2024

3. Jaylen Waddle, WR — Miami Dolphins

Dolphins fans are under the impression that they have two clear-cut No. 1 wide receivers on their hands. While Tyreek Hill has successfully cemented himself among the NFL's best pass-catchers over the years, the jury is still out on Jaylen Waddle.

Waddle, 25, made headlines with a massive 1,356-yard, 8-TD performance during the 2022 season. While he looked like the real deal on paper, a big reason why he had that performance was Hill's arrival. The majority of defenses had to focus on shutting down the latter, allowing Waddle to play pressure-free.

So what happened last season? Teams had a better understanding of the Dolphins' attack and did a better job at shutting Waddle down. The former 2021 first-rounder saw his yards per game and per target drop in his third year as he finished with 1,014 receiving yards and four TDs in 14 games. His passer rating when targeted also dropped from 119.5 to 101.2. While the latter is still a decent mark, the massive drop-off can't be ignored.

The Dolphins recently inked Waddle to a three-year, $84.5 million extension that has made him the fourth-highest-paid WR today. For reference, he'll now earn more than the likes of Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, and Deebo Samuel.

Unless Waddle takes his game to new heights, there's a good chance that his new deal will age like milk under the Miami sun. If that's the case, you can bet that most Patriots fans won't complain.

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