Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has a chance to set a new NFL record on Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Jaylen Waddle needs only three catches on Sunday to break the record for NFL catches by a rookie held by Anquan Boldin #MiamiDolphins #RollTide
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 4, 2022
Waddle has 99 catches, 988 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns so far this season heading into the final week of the campaign. He has been a force for the Dolphins after being drafted by the team with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Dolphins rookie receiver has three games this season with 10 or more catches. He has finished with eight or more catches in five of his past seven games for Miami. Despite not playing in every game, the 23-year-old only needs 12 more yards to secure 1,000 receiving yards in his first NFL season.
The rookie was inactive for the Dolphins’ Week 15 matchup against the New York Jets. Waddle was also without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for four games earlier in the season, but he has still been able to build chemistry with his quarterback as the year has gone on.
The University of Alabama product has helped the Dolphins surge in the second half of the season after a rough start to the year. After starting out 1-7, Miami rattled off seven wins in a row before falling 34-3 to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
At 8-8 heading into Week 18, the Dolphins will look to finish the season above .500 with a win over their division rivals. Miami defeated the Patriots 17-16 in Week 1. Waddle finished with four catches, 61 receiving yards and one touchdown catch in the first matchup against New England.
