High-end NFL Player Comp(s):
Brandin Cooks Low-end NFL Player Comp(s):
Darnell Mooney
Best Scheme Fit: His relative
lack of reps in college mixed with his game-changing speed should
make his best initial fit as the Z in a spread/RPO attack.
Non-bolded times - Good examples of attribute Bolded times - Average/poor examples of attribute
Pre-Draft
Fantasy Prospect Grade* (out of 50): 44.0
* - How well does his skill set carry over to the fantasy
game? For receivers, a player needs to be a realistic threat for
70 catches and 1,000 receiving yards at some point early in their
career to be a candidate for a perfect grade. Positional scarcity
at the pro level is also a part of the equation.
Positives
Speed. Game-breaking speed and ability. No receiver from a Power
Five conference with 100-plus career receptions since 2014 has averaged
more yards after the catch per reception than Waddle (9.8). Waddle
claims he routinely ran in the high-4.2 and low-4.3 range before
breaking his ankle on the opening kickoff of the fifth game of the
2020 season. But make no mistake about it, he's more than just another
fast guy. He is just as likely to turn a screen or quick slant into
a touchdown as he is a deep post. It was always going to be hard
for Waddle to truly stand out on the depth chart that included Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith for much of his career,
but he generally thrived in situations in which he was asked to
find the ball in the air, exhibit body control and make a contested
catch. While his overall route-running is still a work in progress,
his ability to execute and sell a double move is already NFL-quality.
Waddle projects to be his new team's best deep threat on the first
day he steps onto the field. He should also be able to contribute
to (and likely significantly upgrade) the return game for his new
team as well after averaging 19.3 yards per punt return and 23.8
yards per kick return with three special teams touchdowns for the
Crimson Tide. Last but not least, HC Nick Saban was effusive in
his praise for Waddle's competitive
spirit shortly after losing him to injury.
Negatives
College production can be a double-edged sword. Inflated numbers
can often be a product of schemed touches. Unimpressive overall
statistics for a receiver can be a product of a run-heavy offense
or poor quarterbacking. While there is no question Waddle appeared
to be on his way to a huge season in 2020 (25-557-4 through four
games) and was forced to share time with some high-end talent throughout
his time in Tuscaloosa, his best season came as a freshman (45-848-7).
Whatever the circumstances, it's fair to question why Waddle couldn't
do more (similar to the same question many had about Ruggs last
year). Waddle doesn't seem to lack for desire (and Saban's praise
backs that up), but it is at least somewhat telling the 170-pound
Smith was consistently more physical - as a blocker and after the
catch. The Houston native wasn't asked (or required) to block much,
but he appeared to be satisfied with merely getting in the way of
his man as opposed to redirecting him most of the time.
Bottom Line
Waddle's evaluation is a tough one in some ways because he was
healthy for only four games in 2020 and logged a mere 971 snaps
over the course of his college career. Making matters worse for
evaluation purposes, Alabama's passing game schemed elite athletes
like Waddle and Smith touches so often and did so against defenses
that played into the Crimson Tide's hands by rarely challenging
them off the line of scrimmage. While he has similar speed to Tyreek Hill, Waddle doesn't deserve the comps he has received to the "Cheetah"
this spring (at least not yet) if only because he rarely faced physical
coverage. Thus, it's difficult to project him as anything more than
a player capable of being a premier deep threat with the upside
to be something more down the road. There is no question he can
eventually become his new team's featured receiver one day, but
it might come a bit later in his career that most coaches and/or
general managers will want to wait. Doug Orth has written for FF Today since 2006 and been featured
in USA TODAY's Fantasy Football Preview magazine since 2010. He
is also a high-stakes player who often appears as a guest analyst
on a number of national sports radio shows, such as Sirius XM’s
“Fantasy Drive." Doug is also a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writers Association.
