Between playing college football together at Alabama and being drafted by the Dolphins in back-to-back years, QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Jaylen Waddle have connected on passes for seven seasons.
Waddle's relationship with Tagovailoa has been crucial since taking over the top receiver role following WR Tyreek Hill's injury in Week 4. In two games, Waddle has 12 catches for 205 yards and a touchdown.
"Jaylen (Waddle) is an explosive receiver and Tua (Tagovailoa) likes to get the ball out fast and puts the ball on the spot," CB Tyson Campbell said. "Knowing that they have good chemistry, you try to do your best to disrupt their timing and get your hands on the ball and your hands on the receiver."
Campbell saw the chemistry between Tagovailoa and Waddle develop firsthand while at Georgia. He started against Alabama in 2018 versus Tagovailoa and Waddle and covered the wideout in 2020. Then, last season, Campbell dealt with the duo while on the Jaguars, recording three tackles, including one tackle for a loss.
He will be tasked with helping cover Waddle, alongside CB Denzel Ward, and slowing down his production in Week 7. The first step is watching film on who Waddle is as a receiver. The cornerback duo has had sessions in the film room walking through the tape with cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch, discussing offensive tendencies.
Ward is looking at how receivers operate while watching film. He said he is focused on executing his assignments, knowing that if he does his job, he will be where the ball is thrown.
"I'm just watching how (Waddle) releases, how he runs routes from week-to-week and getting a good read on him and just going from there," Ward said.