2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Alabama is a stacked football team, and they have prospects on top of prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jaylen Waddle is one player that is a gamer. He is one of the fastest players in this draft and someone who was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball for Alabama. He’s drawn comparisons to Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill, and to be honest if he doesn’t get hurt he probably wins the Heisman.
Waddle’s also been one of the best return men in the country over the last few years. In 2019, he averaged a whopping 24.4 yards per punt return, scoring on both a punt and kickoff return that season. He had a broken ankle that forced him to miss several games in the 2020 season.
Waddle has 20 career touchdowns, but get this, 11 of them went for 50-plus yards. That is explosive, and that is what NFL teams are looking for in a wide receiver.
In his high school career, Waddle played for Texas football coach Steve Leisz at Houston Episcopal. He was a three-sport athlete, as he played basketball and did track as well. He was a consensus four start prospect and ranked as the fifth best wide receiver in the 2018 recruiting class. He is a stud, and should be a top 10 pick.
NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Notes
NFL teams should be falling in love with Jaylen Waddle. He will be going to Indianapolis for a follow up on his medicals and he should be cleared with flying colors. He did not run a forty as his pro day and he did not have too. I think Waddle is a stud, and overall a team like the Eagles or Lions would be crazy not to select him. I feel the Lions are the best fit at this point, because they could use a return man too, and recently lost Kenny Golladay. They need a wide out and return man and Waddle can do both. He should be a top 10 pick, and I would be shocked if he fell out the top 10. – Damond Talbot, Owner, NFL Draft Diamonds
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com