With Tyreek Hill sidelined as he recovers from offseason wrist surgery, Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle got plenty of reps and run throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp work. Tight end Jonnu Smith’s minicamp absence only increased the workload for Waddle.

After a lackluster 2024 season, a little extra work for Waddle isn’t all bad for Miami, though. Waddle finished the 2024 campaign with career-lows in receptions (58), yards (744) and touchdowns (2).

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The 5-foot-10 receiver had eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three NFL seasons beforehand.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has noticed a difference in Waddle throughout this spring.

“I think he’s shown his teammates who he really is, because I think one thing that you can’t really minimize is from a receiver’s perspective, having quarterbacks that you didn’t even practice with in training camp. That’s a difficult task, and the way he worked on his game during the season has transferred into what we need to see from him, from every player,” McDaniel said.

In particular, Waddle has embraced the leadership department. The 26-year-old has helped lead the charge, igniting some of the team’s competitive juices throughout the offseason.

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“Your best players have to show commitment to have growth in their game, and what I’ve seen is he is I think understanding his role as a leader a little bit more. He’s taken more ownership in the tonality of practice. When he feels a lull, he has no problem going over to the defense and starting some competitive vibes, let’s just say.

“That’s an important part of our team and what we’re trying to do, is the best players have to strive to be better. And then when you do that, the trickle-down effect is real, the standard is set and everyone is approaching time with the team in a direction of making the whole football program better. So I think that’s what he’s been a direct part of and it’s been awesome to see because everybody gets juiced when Waddle is juiced, and he’s recognized that and gotten more juiced lately,” McDaniel said.

With the Dolphins entering 2025 in pursuit of a postseason return, Waddle’s growth, development and potential resurgence will be key factors on what the ultimate ceiling looks like.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle has shown ‘who he really is’ during spring