South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Two make ESPN’s list of top-10 rookies
Two Miami Dolphins first-year players who had impressive seasons made ESPN’s top-10 list for its final 2021 rookie rankings.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is ranked No. 8, while safety Jevon Holland is No. 10.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker/ defensive end Micah Parsons is No. 1, followed by New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Atlanta Flacons tight end Kyle Pitts and Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II, the son of former Dolphins star Patrick Surtain.
Waddle broke the NFL rookie receptions record during a season-ending 33-24 win over the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 10.
Waddle broke Anquan Boldin’s mark of 101 set with the Arizona Cardinals in 2003. Waddle finished the season with 104 receptions, 1,015 yards and seven touchdowns.
Although Waddle needed the extra 17th game of the regular season that was added this season, he broke the record in 16 games. The former Alabama star missed the Dolphins’ Dec. 5 win over the New York Giants on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
His reception total ranks third in Dolphins’ history, trailing only Jarvis Landry, who had 112 in 2017 and 110 in 2015.
The Dolphins drafted Waddle with the No. 6 pick after moving up six spots to get him. That move, however, cost them an additional 2022 first-round pick.
Holland also had a standout rookie season, recording 69 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections in 16 games, including 13 starts.
“Far better than what my expectations were,” said Holland, who was taken with the No. 36 pick, an early second-round selection in April’s draft.
Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores raved about the versatile safety last month, giving the former Oregon standout a rousing endorsement of “mature beyond his years.”