Competing to Start: Wide Receivers

Competing to Start: Wide Receivers

When Jaylen Waddle was drafted in 2021 and Tyreek Hill was traded for in 2022, the Miami Dolphins were something to be watched.

Tua Tagovailoa, drafted in 2021, was the missing piece, and Hill and Waddle completed the wide receiver room.

Dynamic, exciting, almost reached the top in 2023, but failed, yet again.

Yet, let us look forward to the future: a new leadership team with GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley.

Let us examine the current wide receiver room.

A mixture of new veterans and draft picks.

My opinions.

The Veterans

Tutu Atwell – Atwell, known primarily for his speed, did not have many opportunities to play for the Rams as he backed up Puka Nacua, but hopes to break onto the starting group for the Dolphins.

Jalen Tolbert – Signed from the Dallas Cowboys, Tolbert is another veteran who is expected to compete strongly for a starting role.

Malik Washington – A third-year player who will certainly be in the conversation due to his experience with the team and his versatility.

A.J. Henning – On the practice squad last year, Henning will compete for a role on special teams.

Tahj Washington – Another young veteran who will likely contribute on special teams.

Jalen Reagor – A free agent signing who will have to prove he is worth a spot on the 53-man roster.

Theo Wease, Jr. – A returning player who contributed primarily on special teams who should be able to carve out a larger role in 2026.

Terrace Marshall, Jr. – At 6’2”, Marshall may find his niche on the roster and be a potential starter depending on his performance through training camp and preseason games.

The Rookies

Caleb Douglas – A rookie with great size at 6’4”, Douglas will certainly make the 53-man roster with a potential chance to rotate among the starters.

Chris Bell – Regarded by many to be a steal drafted in the third round, Bell is still recovering from a torn ACL, but the Dolphins coaches are very high on his future role.

Kevin Coleman, Jr. – A fifth-round selection, Coleman’s contribution will depend on how he performs in training camp and in preseason games.

Donaven McCulley – An undrafted rookie free agent who will have to compete at a high level to capture the attention of the coaching staff.

So, without a clear wide receiver 1, training camp practices and the preseason games will go a long way toward determining who lines up as part of the starting receiver group.