Jaylen Waddle could leap to superstardom under Mike McDaniel

Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle should be the biggest winner of 49ers OC Mike McDaniel becoming Miami’s new head coach.

When fans think of new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, two things should come to mind.

First, McDaniel managed to help the 49ers make the NFC title game despite limitations at quarterback.

Second, McDaniel turned Deebo Samuel into one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL.

The former bodes well for Miami and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The later should mean big things for receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Mike McDaniel can do great things with Jaylen Waddle

The Dolphins chose Waddle No. 6 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He justified that selection immediately with 104 catches, 1,015 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, leading Miami in both categories.

Waddle already looks like a star wide receiver. McDaniels can take him to new heights.

The key to McDaniel’s success is innovation. He’s run-game-oriented but always on the lookout for the best way to utilize the talent on hand.

Dolphins fans shouldn’t expect McDaniels to take Waddle and turn him into Samuel. Instead, the idea will be to turn Waddle into the archetype everyone else is looking to copy.

If that means using him in the run game, then so be it. However, it doesn’t have to be that cut and dry.

The benefit to Waddle could be as simple as beefing up the run game and forcing opposing defenses to focus on someone else for a change. Samuel had 27 fewer receptions than Waddle in 2021 but 390 more receiving yards. He also scored eight touchdowns as a rusher.

Waddle has all the ability McDaniel could want in a receiver. And McDaniel has the offensive mindset to give Waddle a unique and dangerous role.

It’s not a stretch to imagine McDaniel utilizing Waddle’s speed as a horizontal runner. That same speed can open up opportunities downfield. There’s no limit to what they could accomplish together.

McDaniel may or may not work out as a head coach when all is said and done. But it would be a shock if he didn’t get great things out of Waddle.