Countdown to Training Camp: Which Tyreek Hill Will We See in 2025?

Countdown to Training Camp: Which Tyreek Hill Will We See in 2025?

With Dolphins Training Camp starting later this month, we continue our offseason preview series by position. After previewing the Quarterback and Running Back rooms in the last two posts, today we hit on the Dolphins Wide Outs, a position that you would think is the Dolphins strength, but turned into it’s weakness last season as All Pro Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill had his worst season 2019, Jaylen Waddle missed more games and had his worst season as a pro and the rest of the supporting staff did not step up. Let’s take a look at what Miami brings back and adds for 2025.

The Starters

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are among the top 1-2 punches in the NFL. Well, they can be. In 2022 and 2023, the duo looked unstoppable, leading the Dolphins offense to new heights. They both had over 1,000 yards in both seasons and looked set to lead the Miami offense for a long time, especially with long-term deals signed. 2024 told a different story as all the QBs struggled to get the ball to Hill and Waddle, with them not involved far too often.

With both falling off last year, Miami’s receiving game ended up being mostly Tight End Jonnu Smith (now traded away), who had 88 catches to lead the team, and Running Back De’von Achane, who had 78 catches. The third-best true wide receiver was… well, they didn’t really have one. Rookie Malik Washington showed promise late in the season, with 16 catches over the last four games, and the Odell Beckham Jr. experiment did not work. Washington is penciled in as the third starting wideout right now in Mike McDaniel’s offense and he will need to step up to take the pressure off Hill and Waddle.

The Backups

In looking at the Dolphins’ depth chart, they brought in Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from Tennessee. His stats aren’t going to wow you, with less than 500 yards on 32 catches, but 9 of those receptions went for a TD, something that can help Miami in the red zone. Tahj Washington, another WR Miami took in the 2024 draft, and Erik Ezukanma, taken by Miami in the 2022 draft, are the next two WRs on the depth chart. Neither has received any notable playing time with the Dolphins.

There will be others invited to training camp, but not expected to make the roster. Looking at it from the top down, Miami will be heavily relient again on Hill and Waddle to get open downfield with a whole bunch of young guys behind them on the depth chart. Without Jonnu Smith, Miami will mix in Darren Waller, who was acquired in a trade with the Giants, but who was retired last season.