The Miami Dolphins are making quick work of their 2021 NFL draft rookie class. Earlier this week the Miami Dolphins announced that they’ve signed their duo of 7th-round draft selections to contracts: RB Gerrid Doaks and OT Larnel Coleman. But this afternoon brought the first big fish of the cycle: the Miami Dolphins have announced they have signed their top draft selection, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle and the Dolphins have taken care of the most pressing issue at hand and can now completely focus on their effort to get Waddle acclimated with the football field.
We've signed WR Jaylen Waddle.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 14, 2021
Waddle’s contract is a standard 4-year deal with a reported $17.1M signing bonus. Waddle’s contract is fully guaranteed and is reported to be in the range of $27.1M in total. While that money is a significant hit against the Dolphins’ salary cap, the team has move the necessary pieces in order to clear enough salary cap space to secure their entire draft class after making the decision to cut veteran safety Bobby McCain this past week.
According to Spotrac, the Miami Dolphins have a projected $11.5M in salary cap space available this season after the Waddle signing — with their most expensive contract signing taken care of. Fellow 1st-round pick Jaelan Phillips will be a sizable chunk against the cap as well, but the Dolphins have plenty of room to take his cap (and the rest of the class) in stride.
