Dolphins plan to pick up fifth-year options on WR Jaylen Waddle, LB Jaelan Phillips

The Miami Dolphins don’t need to wait until the deadline to know they’ll exercise the fifth-year options for receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebacker Jaelan Phillips.

On Tuesday, Chris Grier, the general manager of the Dolphins, informed reporters that the club intends to exercise the options on both former first-round picks before the deadline on May 2.

“We’re nearing that stage, but I believe we’ll shoulder the burden eventually,” stated Grier. “I can confidently affirm this – I have no intention of deceiving or concealing anything from you – so yes,” he added.

The club has made both decisions effortlessly.

Waddle, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is a key playmaker in Mike McDaniel’s offense. The former Alabama product has exceeded the 1,000-yard mark in each of three seasons in South Beach. As a rookie, he set a then-record with 104 catches (since surpassed by Puka Nacua). In 2022, McDaniel’s first season, Waddle led the NFL with 18.1 yards per reception and set a career-high with 1,356 receiving yards. He missed three games in 2023, sinking his numbers slightly. The wideout has played through injury throughout his young career but hasn’t suffered a severe injury that would make the club weary of the fifth-year guarantee.

Waddle’s fifth-year option is projected to be worth $15.591 million, fully guaranteed, per Over The Cap. Fellow 2021 first-rounder DeVonta Smith‘s recent three-year, $75 million extension could be a blueprint for an eventual deal for Waddle.

Phillips, the No. 18 pick in 2021, was on his way to a career year in 2023 (6.5 sacks in eight games) before suffering an Achilles injury in November. The edge rusher was solid his first two seasons, netting 15.5 sacks, but was busting out last season, showing the burst off the edge that made him a first-rounder. He might not always take down the quarterback, but Phillips is a backfield disruptor that offenses must account for every play.

Phillips’ injury was unfortunate, but it doesn’t seem to alter the club’s choice to exercise the fifth-year option, valued at $13.251 million and fully guaranteed, according to OTC. In fact, the injury saved the club approximately $1 million since Phillips missed out on the playtime tier of the option. The additional year provides the club with a prolonged buffer post-injury to allow Phillips ample time to recover fully before serious extension discussions commence.

For the next two years, Waddle and Phillips are not going anywhere, which provides the team with time to negotiate extensions with either or both.

Grier also added that the team plans to have extension talks with 2021 second-round safety Jevon Holland, who the GM called a big piece of their defensive puzzle. Holland is a do-it-all backend playmaker but missed six games in 2023 due to injury, including the playoff loss in Kansas City.

Grier made excellent choices in the top picks of the 2021 draft. Currently, he is working to make sure that the talent he picked stays in Miami for the foreseeable future.