Miami Dolphins legendary wide receiver Mark Clayton appeared on The Fins Faithful Podcast Monday night, discussing a wide range of topics, and touched on the 2025 Dolphins, specifically Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The Miami all-time leaders in receptions and touchdowns mentioned that he sees a bit of himself in Waddle and also shared his thoughts on Hill. An admirer of Waddle’s game, Clayton said, “Not that I don’t love Hill’s game as much as Waddle’s, but I love Waddle’s game. Waddle’s game reminds me so much of my own with a little more speed, he’s much faster than I was.
“If I’m going to say one of the two, you know, who I think patterns their game after mine, I would have to say Waddle.”
Clayton was quick to clarify, “Hill is no slouch,” and offered some wisdom on how Hill could regain the trust of his teammates after a tumultuous 2024 season. “Your mouth can say anything, but your actions speak louder than words,” he said. “I think you win your teammates back through your actions, not your words. And he should remember this at all times as an NFL player: You don’t play for anybody except the 10 other guys out there on the field. You play for them. You don’t play for yourself.”
Last season, Hill took himself out of the final game of the season against the New York Jets. Following the game he also made a pseudo trade request, telling reporters “I’m out” and that he was “opening the door” to leave the Dolphins. He has since walked back his comments and is currently trying to win back his teammates’ trust.
Hill is a three-time Dolphins team captain, but he isn’t counting on receiving that honor again.
Waddle, who has had a fine first four seasons for Miami, has missed five games the last two seasons. Clayton spoke about the importance of his availability saying, “For Waddle to really shine like he’s capable of shining, man, he’s had these little knickknack injuries. He’s got to stay healthy to stay on the field for him to be as productive as he possibly could be because, you know, when you’re on the sideline in street clothes, you can’t help your team.”
Both Waddle and Hill will look to get back to their 2023 potency, which of course will have a lot to do with the health of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and the overall improvement of the offense.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Mark Clayton talks Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle: ‘Actions speak louder than words’
Reporting by Jason Sarney, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
