NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
It wasn’t too long ago that the Miami Dolphins were thought to have the best wide receiver unit in the NFL. While the team still has a dual threat with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, injuries to the former have put pressure on the latter. Miami has talent across the board, but could use an upgrade at the position as well. What can they do to improve and return to being consistent contenders?
Size Matters
Speed has been the strength as well as the downfall of the Dolphins at receiver. Miami has always struggled to find a big receiver. It’s not lost on me that their two TEs who made immediate impacts on the offense were Jonnu Smith at 6’3″ and Darren Waller at 6’6″. Imagine getting a Calvin Johnson-type play or a Keyshon Johnson. These might be once-in-a-lifetime players, but in the same sense, a 6’2″ or 6’3″ who could be the jump ball 50/50 WR. While Miami isn’t exactly struggling in the red zone. Those sideline catches that control the clock would be key.
Moving On
Tyreek Hill has been great, and he’s still got plenty of good football left, yet that football doesn’t need to be in Miami. Have you ever heard people say they’re “overqualified for the position” when applying for a new job? That’s exactly what Tyreek is in Miami. Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t have the arm strength for Tyreek to stretch the field like he can. The majority of his catches now come underneath where he can beat out defenders with his speed. With Jaylen Waddle playing at the level he is with Hill out, would Miami be able to supplement Hill’s productivity and Tua’s reliance on him with two younger players with more team-friendly contracts? You can’t replace a guy such as Tyreek, but he’s limited in Miami. He can still go to a contender and with a good draft/free agency Miami could retool their offense.
Fix 3-5
Who is stepping up in Miami? Right now, their top WR is Jaylen Waddle, which makes sense with Tyreek out. However, the next guy after that is De’Von Achane, which again, makes sense because you have to get the ball to your playmakers. What’s concerning however is, who is stepping up in the WR room. Malik Washington has made some plays, but if he lives up to his potential going forward, is he going to be the 700-1,000-yard WR they need him to be? Outside of Waddle and Hill, who will always get the most passes, Miami’s offense stalls with not one single WR being consistent. At times, not even Hill and Waddle can be consistent because teams just have to make sure they don’t break one and the offense is one-dimensional. Miami needs more impactful players.
The Miami Dolphins don’t need to focus on their wide receivers first, but that’s not to say they can’t improve. Miami hasn’t had depth in years as former GM Chris Grier liked his shiny toys at the top of the roster and bargain shopped on the back end. Unfortunately, those players often never panned out. Miami needs to upgrade its WRs if Tua Tagovailoa is sticking around next year.
