Dolphins Face Nightmare Matchup With Garrett Wilson, Jets’ Offense

The Miami Dolphins’ secondary is about to get a serious test.

Miami ranks 16th in the NFL in passing yards allowed, surrendering 219.2 yards per game through the air. But those numbers could be tested Sunday when the Dolphins face a New York Jets offense featuring one of the league’s most dangerous young receivers.

Garrett Wilson is the headliner.

Dolphins defensive coordinator Sean Duggan was a graduate assistant at Ohio State when Wilson was a Buckeye. So he saw up close what the 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year can do.

“I know he’s super talented and works at it, but he’s just a natural pass catcher,” Duggan said. “And obviously, he’s got real speed on the edge. And he can make catches at three levels. He can take shallow routes and create explosive plays. He can run intermediate routes, whether it’s in the perimeter or over the middle, and then he can stretch you vertically down the field.

“So he’s a threat at every level. Omar Cooper, I know he got hurt early and last week was his first game, but you see a guy that’s just to me an ultra competitor. You got to get multiple hats to the ball when you’re tackling him. Really good with the ball in his hand. And again, just a tough, competitive guy. Real speed, good size. He’s not 6’5”, but he’s strong, strong with the ball in his hands. So again, I got a lot of respect for the way he plays. It’ll be a good challenge.”

Wilson has been one of the NFL’s better receivers this season when the Jets get him the ball

Wilson is off to one of the best starts of his career. He ranks ninth in receptions with 35, 14th in receiving yards with 418, and 15th in targets.

But Wilson has also been visibly frustrated at times, particularly when the Jets fail to get him involved enough in the offense during losses.

The Dolphins can’t afford to let him become a factor Sunday.

And Wilson might not be the only weapon returning for New York.

The Jets could also get wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and running back Breece Hall back from injury. Mitchell has missed the past four games after undergoing surgery to repair an injured finger, while Hall has missed the last three games after suffering a quadriceps injury in Week 3 against the Lions.

Both Mitchell and Hall practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

“They’ve got some good talent,” Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said. “They drafted good talent. Obviously, on offense, they got two really good running backs.

“Frank Reich is the offensive coordinator, has been doing this for a really long time, so there’s a ton of respect for him there. So there’s familiarity with the coaches. There’s a lot of mutual respect for those guys. They’ve done a nice job in the draft and free agency bringing in some talented players and they’ve improved. They’ve improved from last year. I think they’ve improved week to week, and it will be a good challenge. We’re excited to get back to playing.”

For a Dolphins defense trying to turn around a 0-5 start, this is no small challenge. Wilson can beat defenses underneath, over the middle, or deep — and if Miami gives him room to work, he could make an ugly afternoon even worse.