The Miami Dolphins will face an interesting dilemma this summer once training camp opens up. The team decided to stand firm on their wide receiver room amid the improvements the team made elsewhere across the entirety of the roster — which could be interpreted in a number of different ways. One possible explanation is that the Dolphins decided to only prioritize a handful of objectives this offseason and wide receiver did not make the cut. But another possibility is that the Dolphins feel their wide receiver room has plenty of untapped potential — which would need to come from the youngsters on the roster. Which players are strong bets to make the team?
You can be sure to see Devante Parker, Albert Wilson, Preston Williams, and Jakeem Grant in Miami this September. Veteran WR Allen Hurns has also seemingly solidified his standing — so an extra boost to the passing game will need to come from a 6th wide receiver to make the roster. Who are the best contenders?
Mack Hollins
Hollins has vertical components to his game and is a strong special teams contributor. That’s his best bet to make the Dolphins — star on the team’s third unit as a gunner and hope his length and catch radius can provide enough of a push to make an impact.
Isaiah Ford
Ford has built up some solid sweat equity with the Dolphins after being called into action during the 2019 season. After lingering on the Dolphins’ practice squad, Ford stepped into a void and was a fairly reliable receiver — although his lack of high end physical traits may prevent him from filling a greater role for the team in 2020.
Gary Jennings
Jennings is a sneaky sleeper because he is just one year removed from being a 4th-round pick for the Seattle Seahawks. What’s more interesting is that Jennings — a burner with 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash, came from a spread offense at West Virginia that frequently utilized him in the slot; which is where he’d be of most help to the Dolphins.
Kirk Merritt
Merritt is a troubled prospect who went undrafted during the 2020 NFL Draft but has some reported eye-popping numbers in his athletic testing. Merritt would need to enter training camp and blow the Dolphins away with his route running in order to command an active roster spot.
Final Verdict
Don’t sleep on Gary Jennings. He’s the Dolphins wide receiver with the best chance to make the roster and he was unable to make a lasting impression after injury cut short his time in Miami last season after being claimed off waivers. A recent report from the Miami Herald spotlighted Jennings as a standout this offseason at a third-party workout/training facility, too.
“It was like old school college seven-on-seven out here, and (Jennings) put on a clinic. His routes were outstanding. We’re talking about two straight hours going against some of the top defensive backs in this league,” said trainer Pete Bommarito of Bommarito Performance Systems.
“He was a 4.3 guy (coming out of college) and is still a 4.3 guy. I had All-Pro cornerbacks on those fields (last Friday) and they said he’s the real deal. All he needs is a shot. He has all the skills to be big time.”
He’ll get his shot in Miami. What he makes of it will be up to him.