Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle muscled up for camp; Braxton Berrios has long touchdown on Day 2

MIAMI GARDENS — Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa isn’t the only Miami Dolphin that bulked up this offseason to help withstand hits from NFL defenders.

Standout third-year wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, a blazer who is widely considered small even at his position, has put an emphasis this offseason on gaining strength and putting on good weight.

“I’m feeling good, feeling great,” Waddle said after Thursday’s second Dolphins training camp practice. “Put on some pounds. In the weight room a lot more.”

Waddle wouldn’t disclose specific numbers, calling it “classified,” similar to when he was asked about his visibly more muscular physique during organized team activities in May. He is, however, now listed at 185 pounds after the Dolphins roster had him carrying 182 pounds on his 5-foot-10 frame during OTAs.

“I can get a good impact on somebody, and I can be like, ‘Yeah, yeah.’ That’s that weight we’re talking about,” Waddle, who had 75 receptions for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, quipped.

The added weight can help the speedster break tackles, but that’s not the primary reason he’s doing it.

“It’s a long season,” Waddle said. “Just having those extra pounds to just withhold and withstand the whole season.”

While fellow star Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill has a clear-cut numerical goal in mind for the upcoming season, Waddle keeps it simple.

“Just be more consistent,” he said. “I think I had a lot of ups and downs last season.”

He has appreciated working with Hill, who is now putting behind him his offseason legal trouble stemming from the alleged Father’s Day slap of a boat-charter company employee at a marina as training camp opens. Hill will not be charged, but he could still face suspension as the NFL continues to investigate the matter.

“He’s a great professional, has great energy each and every day,’ Waddle said. “When he’s on the field, he’s a special player. That’s what we look for. He’s a leader. He’s a captain.”

Waddle and Hill have gotten a few chances working against the star cornerback tandem of Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard. Ramsey suffered an apparent knee injury near the end of Thursday’s drills, but before that, the elite offseason trade acquisition had an impressive pass breakup covering Waddle deep on a pass from Tagovailoa.

“He had a great play on me, a special play today on me,” Waddle said. “Going up there and competing against a guy like that, that caliber each and every day; you don’t have a choice but to bring it and he is just special.”

He said he doesn’t necessarily tally his matchup wins against different cornerbacks in practice.

“They’re going to have their days, we’re going to have our days, but it’s the NFL,” Waddle said. “You’re going to get locked up, you’re going to get routed up. You can do anything. It’s great players.”

Berrios’ highlight

New Dolphins slot receiver Braxton Berrios had the highlight reception of the team’s second training camp practice. He got open deep down the left sideline over rookie cornerback Cam Smith with undrafted rookie Keidron Smith the safety in the vicinity, catching a perfectly thrown ball from quarterback Skylar Thompson.

“Just a go-ball,” said Berrios, who came over as a free agent from the New York Jets this offseason. “Skylar put it in a perfect place and we just connected on a deep one.”

Berrios is making a homecoming to Miami and Hard Rock Stadium after playing for the Hurricanes in college. He also said he grew up a Dolphins fan, but he still often made plays against Miami with the Jets.

“It’s the NFL,” he said. “You can grow up a fan but obviously when you get here it becomes a career, a business, and things change. When I signed back here, I became the biggest fan again. It’s really cool to be here.”

Berrios is now coached by a player that inspired him watching football growing up, wide receivers coach Wes Welker.

“I’ve been watching him since I can really remember football,” Berrios said. “There’s some things that he does that you just can’t replicate because of who he is and nobody can be that.”

Berrios made the decision to take No. 0 after the NFL added it among jersey numbers players can wear this offseason.

“It was new, it was different, it was cool,” Berrios said. “When I got here there wasn’t much open as it was, so I kind of fell into it. I like it, and I’m embracing it. It’s the first year ever, so there’s a nuance to it, but I’m excited for it.”