Alabama football: Potential landing spots for Jaylen Waddle in 2021 NFL Draft

Jaylen Waddle 2021 NFL Draft landing spot No. 4: Detroit Lions

It’s time to rebuild in the Motor City. With the Matthew Stafford trade that sent the former No. 1 overall pick to the Rams, the Detroit Lions are now a worse team than the one that finished with the seventh-worst record in the NFL last season.

There’s no question that the Lions could look to find a long-term quarterback option to eventually usurp Jared Goff. It remains to be seen, though, if they’ll use No. 7 to do that. Instead, they could look to replenish the wide receiver corps that could lose Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. this offseason in free agency.

That’s where Jaylen Waddle would come into the fold. Yes, the Lions need help in numerous areas beyond wide receiver. Having said that, they are largely devoid of talent in that area if they lose their top two options. Subsequently, they could give Goff a viable shot to prove himself by adding a player of Waddle’s ilk to the offense.

Jaylen Waddle 2021 NFL Draft landing spot No. 3: Philadelphia Eagles

Another NFL team potentially in flux this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles appear near-certain to move on from Carson Wentz this offseason. That would subsequently give the keys to Jalen Hurts and, while he and Waddle weren’t Alabama football teammates, it could set up a Crimson Tide tandem in the City of Brotherly Love.

Philadelphia reached for Jalen Reagor in the first round last year (over Justin Jefferson, no less) and he didn’t prove to be an instant impact player. As such, the black hole has persisted at wide receiver for the Eagles.

That’s something that Waddle would immediately remedy for this team. Whether it’s at the No. 6 pick or a later first-round selection they could possibly get in a Wentz trade, the speedster should be on the table. His versatility and verticality in the passing game would be a great fit that would help open up the new era of the offense.