No excuses for Justin Hunter in Miami in 2016

It wasn’t long ago that Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson were both coming out of the University of Tennessee as two of the most polarizing athletes in the draft class of 2013.

More from Phin Phanatic

• 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
• Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
• 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
• Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
• The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft

Now just three seasons later, Hunter has been cut in favor of a 14-year veteran and Patterson is still trying to find himself somewhere between a two and a nine on the route tree.

Unlike Patterson, however, Hunter has been given a second chance to show what he can do with a new team in the NFL.

At 6’4″ his height and speed (ran a 4.44 40 yard dash at the 2013 NFL combine) along with his 73/1,083/9 stat line his Senior year as a Volunteer was impressive enough for the Tennessee Titans to spend a second round pick on him.

In the past three years, though, there’s been little to show for Hunter in the Sunday box scores.   To be fair he’s had five different quarterbacks throw him the ball, and three different head coaches on the sideline.

But the NFL doesn’t like excuses, and he had none in 2013.  He proved he could be a big-play threat his rookie season, averaging 19.1 yards per catch.  He even added four touchdowns throughout off just 18 catches to his resume.  In his Sophomore season he improved on all his numbers aside from touchdowns.  Since the end of that season injuries have all-but halted his progression.

A change of scenery may be exactly what Hunter needs.  Even his mom thought so.  That and a reunion with with wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson.

“There comes a time we’ve got to s— or get off the pot, and this is his moment,” Jefferson said. – Paul Kuharsky of ESPN

Jefferson was the wide receivers coach in Tennessee up until new Dolphins head coach Adam Gase was able to swing him to South Florida.  Hunter has spent every season in the NFL with Jefferson as a mentor.

It’s obvious of the confidence Gase shows in Jefferson; once Hunter was cut there’s no doubt Jefferson was pulling for him in Miami.

Jefferson was high on Hunter last season and clearly still is.  But with the talent at the receiver position in Miami, will Hunter get his chance to hit the field anytime soon?

The nagging injuries that keep preventing second-year pro DeVante Parker from practicing is evident.  That gives Hunter hope and a chance to pounce on a golden opportunity.  Only once he learns the Dolphins playbook, of course.

Until then it’ll be a battle between he, Kenny Stills and rookie Leonte Carroo for snaps on Sundays.