Ranking all 13 of the Miami Dolphins wide receivers
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have 13 receivers on their roster but we know that only six, maybe seven will make it into September. Some of them are pretty good.
Like the previous articles about other units, we are not predicting roster spots or the final 53 but instead just a ranking of the players themselves as they relate to the rest of the rostered players at that position. It is 100% subjective and as many of you already have, disagreeing with me in the comments is an interesting look at who others might rank where.
While there are 12 receivers on the roster, we included Malcolm Perry on this list as well as the running back list because he is on both of them, unlike Lynn Bowden, Jr. who could also play the dual role but is only listed as a WR on the Dolphins roster. Here is who I list from last to first.
Kai Locksley: Locksley admitted that he doesn’t expect to make the roster and a lot would have to happen but he is competing for a practice squad spot. The former quarterback is trying to prove he can transition.
Kirk Merritt: There is a lot of potential with Merritt but he needs to get real game experience and right now he may not get many opportunities.
Mack Hollins: Hollins has three NFL seasons of experience dating back to 2017 when he was with the Eagles. He has 48 games under his belt and has started 5 of them. In his career, he has 42 receptions for 527 yards and two touchdowns. Last year he was active for the Dolphins at the end of the season due to injuries but he will still need to fight for a roster spot and the PS.
Lynn Bowden, Jr.: Bowden has a lot of potential and the Raiders thought very highly of him when they drafted him in the 2020 3rd round but they couldn’t find a place for him and traded him to the Dolphins. Miami too struggled last year with their receivers, the playbook, playcalling, and so much more but Miami expects him to make a jump this year.
Robert Foster: Strictly talking production vs. experience vs. potential, Foster comes in a little low despite having three NFL seasons with seven starts in 30 games. He has 32 receptions for 642 yards which equates to an impressive 20.1 yards per catch. He also has three touchdowns. Yet on this roster, he is still pretty deep.
Jaylen Waddle: By this time next year, Waddle could be the best of the entire unit. He has the college stats that made him the 6th overall pick in the draft but he still has to prove he can play at this level. His rank is low only because the Dolphins are stacked at the position.
Jakeem Grant, Sr.: Grant is an incredible kick returner with incredible speed but he can be too inconsistent in the passing game and has a propensity for dropping catchable passes at the wrong time. As a return specialist, Grant is really good but he still has not found his place as a receiver.
Allen Hurns: Hurns was looking really good with the Cowboys a few years ago but a major leg injury put him out for the year and eventually onto the free-agent market where the Dolphins added him in 2019. Miami liked what they saw, enough so that they extended him that year through 2022. In 2020, Hurns opted out. He will need to prove he can take one of the six or seven spots.
Preston Williams: Williams has looked like he could be an undrafted free agent steal but the problem is he can’t stay healthy. In two seasons, he has ended on IR. That is a problem and all the talent in the world means nothing if you’re not on the field.
Albert Wilson: Before his hip injury, Wilson was giving the Dolphins everything they wanted and could ask for. He had the speed, the hands, and looked like a really good fit in the Dolphins offense. That was a couple of years ago and after opting out last year, Wilson will need to prove he has recovered and hasn’t lost any of his talent.
William Fuller, V: Signed a free agent this past March, Fuller is an exciting receiver who should match up well with defenses. Miami hopes he can take the top of the defense and keep the front seven from stacking the line of scrimmage. He was one of the top free agents on this year’s market.
DeVante Parker: This is debatable and frankly, I think his inconsistency should keep him from this spot but he has led the team the last several years and is two years removed from a 1,200 yard plus season.