Exploring Dolphins’ options if they shuffle backup wide receivers
One thing that became clear when the Dolphins’ offense struggled late in the season: They could use a couple more backup receivers who can consistently create separation.
Except for Erik Ezukanma, who spent most of the season on injured reserve with a neck injury, all of the Dolphins’ backup receivers on the 53-man roster are free agents: Braxton Berrios (27 catches for 238 yards), River Cracraft (9 for 121), Cedrick Wilson Jr. (22 catches for 296 yards) and Chase Claypool (four for 26 in nine games after Miami acquired him from Chicago).
Berrios could return after finishing 12th in the league in punt return average; he’s sure-handed in that role. Claypool seems unlikely to return.
The Dolphins still have hopes that Ezukanma can develop; he ran five times for 52 yards and didn’t catch a pass in two games before his season ended. The injury is not career threatening and he is cleared to play.
Who could the Dolphins add as a third, fourth and/or fifth receiver behind starters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle?
For obvious reasons involving finances, playing time and role, we likely can exclude free agent starting receivers such as Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Gabe Davis, Michael Pittman, Marquise Brown, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., Curtis Samuel, D.J. Chark, Michael Thomas and Josh Reynolds.
Exploring options among impending unrestricted options who were not primarily starters this past season:
▪ Tennesee’s Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: Caught 28 passes for 370 yards in 14 games and nine starts.
Pro Football Focus rates him the No. 134 free agent: “Westbrook-Ikhine is a vertical field-stretcher with good run-blocking chops who can find a home in almost any offense as an auxiliary piece of a receiving corps. Tennessee also used him more in 2023 on now routes and quick in-breakers out of the slot, looking to use his speed after the catch closer to the line of scrimmage with schemed-up free releases.”
▪ Houston’s Noah Brown: This one might be too ambitious; he had 33 catches for 567 yards for the Texans in 10 games and seven starts. He sustained a season-ending shoulder injury early in Houston’s playoff win against Cleveland. Some team could pay him starter’s money after he averaged 17.2 yards per catch.
▪ Atlanta’s Van Jefferson: Caught 20 passes for 209 yards in 17 games and nine starts between the Rams and Falcons.
▪ Tennessee’s Chris Moore: Caught 22 passes for 424 yards (a ridiculous 19.3 average) in 17 games and five starts for the Titans.
▪ Minnesota’s K.J. Osborn: The former UM player likely enters free agency with starting aspirations after catching 48 passes for 540 yards in 16 games and 12 starts for the Vikings. PFF said Osborn “had an unfortunate drop issue crop up in 2023 but has generally been a reliable WR 3/4 who knows where to sit down against zones and pick up yards after the catch underneath.”
▪ Minnesota’s Brandon Powell: He was a member of the Dolphins practice squad for a month in 2021 and has subsequently developed into a good backup. This past season, the Deerfield Beach High graduate caught 29 passes for 324 yards in 17 games and two starts for Minnesota.
▪ New England’s Kendrick Bourne: Comes off a torn ACL in Week 8 against the Dolphins; otherwise, he wouldn’t be on this list. Had 37 catches for 406 yards and 4 TDs before that. The knee injury could lessen his market value and put him in a play for a team seeking a former starter as a No. 3.
▪ Kansas City’s Mecole Hardman: Tyreek Hill’s former teammate was virtually given away by the Jets to the Chiefs before the trade deadline, when Kansas City needed receiving help. Then he scored the game-winning overtime touchdown in the Super Bowl after catching 15 passes for 124 yards during the season.
▪ Atlanta’s KhaDarel Hodge: Caught 14 passes for 232 yards in 17 games and four starts for Atlanta.
▪ The Rams’ DeMarcus Robinson: Caught 26 passes for 371 yards in 16 games and four starts.
▪ Arizona’s Greg Dortch: Caught 24 for 280 in 16 games and 4 starts.
▪ Among veteran free agent backup receiver options who caught 20 or fewer passes this past season besides Hardman: Parris Campbell, Donovan Peoples-Jones, former Dolphins Mack Hollins and Trent Sherfield, Ray-Ray McCloud, Laviska Shenault, Marquise Goodwin, Sterling Shepard, Scottie Miller, Richie James, Isaiah McKenzie, Chris Conley, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jamison Crowder, Devin Duvernay, Laquon Treadwell, Byron Pringle, Jalan Reagor and James Proche.
FYI: 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings, who caught the eye of Dolphins fans during the playoffs, is set to be a restricted free agent, meaning the 49ers control his rights.
JEREMIAH’S ADVICE
NFL Network lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah offered this advice to the Dolphins with the 21st pick in April’s NFL Draft:
“You’re right smack dab in the middle of your window. So, to me, you’re looking upside: guys that are ready right now. I always think about what [Ravens general manager] Ozzie Newsome used to always say, ‘Let’s just hit doubles in the first round. Let’s not strike out.’
“If I’m the Miami Dolphins, I want someone who can come in and help me, who I feel like is a rock solid player ready to roll right now. That would be the area I’ll be leaning towards. If I had the choice between Player A and Player B, I might be a little bit more conscious of the floor, just personally, where they are. A lot of times, those high-floor picks end up being really really good players.”
Jeremiah mocked UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu to Miami at 21.
