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The Miami Dolphins made the decision this offseason to avoid adding any fresh faces to their wide receiver room. Yes, Miami brought in two undrafted free agents but the team was more focused on building up the defense and the trenches with their prized assets in team-building. That decision not to address wide receiver will be tested this year — Miami’s starting duo of DeVante Parker and Preston Williams remains but veteran pass catcher Allen Hurns recently announced his decision to opt out of the 2020 NFL season, citing concern for the health of his family.
Miami will now have to see their younger receivers step up. Which young pass catcher is most likely to see the biggest advance in reps this season as a result of the absence of Hurns? Here are the three best options.
WR Jakeem Grant
Grant felt as though he was already on schedule to see a boost in targets — he’s been vocal this offseason about wanting to prove that he is a wide receiver first and foremost and his route running clips this summer jump off the screen. But Grant will need to stay healthy if he’s going to see the kind of production boom that he’s hoping for. And with 12 missed games over the last two seasons (and two stints on injured reserve), Grant is going to have his work cut out for him to simply stay healthy and play 16 games. That should be a concern for the Dolphins as much as anything — if you put too much on his plate, will Grant’s body break down from the wear and tear?
WR Isaiah Ford
Ford has been with the Dolphins for several seasons now and bounced back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster. The patience he’s held that his shot will come may have just paid off — especially when you consider that Ford looked strong at the end of the 2019 season as he was pressed into action. Ford has a similar skill set to Hurns as well, he might be the easiest “one for one” plug in option for the Dolphins’ wide receiver room. What is his ceiling? He’s likely reserved for routes coming from the slot and he’s not likely to be a big play receiver. But he’ll be reliable with his hands and, best of all, he’s hungry to prove he deserves a spot.
WR Gary Jennings Jr.
Jennings is a former 4th-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft. Miami took advantage of their low post on the waiver wire last fall when they were able to pluck him off of Seattle, who had cut him from their active roster. Jennings didn’t get much run in Miami but the catalyst of those issues was his health — he ended up playing just a handful of snaps before missing the end of the year. Something important to keep in mind for Jennings? He’s got explosive speed. He tested in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash and has plenty of experience winning from the slot at the college level, where he played at West Virginia. Jennings is the sleeper to reap the benefits of Hurns’ departure for 2020 — but he’s well equipped to make a splash and create some chunk explosive plays that this team will desperately need.