Dolphins Q&A: Should the Dolphins trade Jaylen Waddle? Are the Dolphins bringing in another guard?
Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.
Q: Trade Waddle now. Out priced him in Miami. Judy 24 million. Smith 25 million. Another (Wilkins) situation. Trade Waddle fast — WaltDawg1234 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
I wouldn’t trade Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. No way. I know what Cleveland wide receiver Jerry Jeudy received (three years, $52.5 million, $41 million guaranteed). I know what Philadelphia wide receiver DeVonta Smith received (three years, $75 million, $51 million guaranteed).
It’s too early to say this is another Christian Wilkins situation, the ex-Dolphins defensive tackle and 2019 first-round pick who fled for Las Vegas in free agency.
Waddle, a 2021 first-round pick, will be here at least through the 2025 season while on his fifth-year option. That’s good.
Here’s the deal…
The Dolphins need Waddle to win. Now. This year. And next year.
They need him beside wide receiver Tyreek Hill and as a target for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
On another note, it’s too late to re-make the 2024 offense.
You’ve built in free agency and the draft based on having Waddle’s reliable, blazing fast speed and his familiarity with the offense, and the offense’s reliance on and familiarity with his skill set.
You’re committed.
The only thing that changes that commitment at this point is an injury.
You deal with Waddle’s extension later, after Tagovailoa and safety Jevon Holland.
Q: Fellas everyone is reporting our 2nd round pick is a giant of a man looking like he came from beyond the Wall in GOT — Nandito357 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
I’m not familiar with Game of Thrones, but I can confirm that left tackle Patrick Paul, the second-round pick from Houston, is certainly huge. I’ve stood next to him at the Senior Bowl and Dolphins rookie camp.
Paul is listed at 6-foot-7, 331 pounds. His arm length is a massive 36 ¼ inches.
The question is whether he can beat out veteran backup left tackle Kendall Lamm to win the job behind starter Terron Armstead.
You’ll recall the impressive job Lamm did last season, starting at right tackle, meaning protecting Tagovailoa’s blind side, against Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons, one of the league’s best defensive players and pass rushers. Parsons, who moved all over the field, ended with a half-sack.
Paul will have to earn his playing time this season, and that’s asking a lot.
Q: The dolphins have repeatedly said that they are confident in Liam at guard why are they not at least thinking of bringing in Dalton Risner or another guard for competition purposes? — Jonathan Dill on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
I think the Dolphins can find a starting center and two starting guards among veteran guard-center Liam Eichenberg, veteran center-guard Aaron Brewer, guard Isaiah Wynn, and guards Lester Cotton and Robert Jones. All started games last season (Brewer for Tennessee, the others for Miami).
If you can’t get the sufficient starters in that group, you likely make an acquisition or two after the training camp cuts.
Risner, by the way, is a bit of mystery in that he’s a 2019 second-round pick who remains unemployed. He played four years with Denver (2019-22), where he was under Dolphins offensive line coach Butch Barry for 2022 before playing last season with Minnesota.
Q: I think Jonnu Smith is an underrated pickup. We finally have someone who can split the seam at tight end — Peter McDowell on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
I like tight end Jonnu Smith, who had a career-best 50 receptions for Atlanta last season. And you’re right about his skill set.
The problem is the Dolphins signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted running back Jaylen Wright, both of whom are capable of taking receptions from Smith.
Right now you’d have to assume Smith, when it comes to the order of touches, is behind Hill, Waddle, Beckham and running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. And remember tight end Durham Smythe had 35 receptions last season, and Wright, as mentioned, is in the mix.
Smith will have to prove he can be a factor in this offense.