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WRs & TEs

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by DolphinGreg, May 5, 2021.

  1. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    With the influx of new WRs and TEs arriving in Miami, it seems logical we should start talking about who’s likely on the bubble.

    A review of last season:

    WR1: DeVante Parker
    WR2: Preston Williams
    WR3: Jakeem Grant
    WR4: Lynn Bowden
    WR5: Mack Hollins
    WR6: Malcolm Perry
    WR7: Isaiah Ford
    WR8: Albert Wilson (Opt-Out)
    WR9: Allen Hurns (Opt-Out)

    TE1: Mike Gesicki
    TE2: Durham Smythe
    TE3: Adam Shaheen

    Who’s on the current roster you may ask?

    WR1: DeVante Parker
    WR2: Preston Williams
    WR3: Jakeem Grant
    WR4: Lynn Bowden
    WR5: Mack Hollins
    WR6: Malcolm Perry
    WR7: Albert Wilson (returning)
    WR8: Allen Hurns (returning)
    WR9: Will Fuller (FA)
    WR10: Robert Foster (FA)
    WR11: Jaylen Waddle (Draft)

    TE1: Mike Gesicki
    TE2: Durham Smythe
    TE3: Adam Shaheen
    TE4: Hunter Long

    There will obviously be some cuts!

    Maybe it’s better if we start by looking at who we’re pretty sure will make the roster:

    WR1: DeVante Parker
    WR2: Will Fuller
    WR3: Jaylen Waddle

    TE1: Mike Gesicki
    TE2: Adam Shaheen
    TE3: Hunter Long

    Forced Out: Durham Smythe

    So let’s take a look at the other guys in the WR room and see who the top 3-4 guys are all things considered.

    Here are the remaining options from biggest to smallest:

    6’-5” / 210-lb – Preston Williams
    6’-4” / 210-lb – Mack Hollins
    6’-3” / 205-lb – Allen Hurns
    6’-2” / 195-lb – Robert Foster
    5’-11” / 195-lb – Lynn Bowden
    5’-9” / 200-lb – Albert Wilson
    5’-9” / 185-lb – Malcolm Perry
    5’-6” / 160-lb – Jakeem Grant

    Keep in mind that with Parker, Fuller and Waddle, we can already bank on those guys being the starting X, Y and Z positions. So we’re really looking to identify the back-ups.

    I think that either Preston Williams or Mack Hollins makes the team as the logical back-up to Parker (the X). Williams past issues with drops and his history of being on IR in Yr-1 and Yr-2 lead me to think Hollins has the edge. That’s probably why Miami re-signed Hollins. As some have pointed out, Hollins also does some of the Gesicki stuff. So IMHO, we probably see Hollins get the nod and Williams get cut.

    With Waddle now on the team, several WRs have been made redundant: Grant, Perry, Wilson, Bowden, etc. While I’m confident that one of those 4 will make the team, I think the Dolphins are locked into paying Albert Wilson which makes him the obvious favorite. Maybe someone can chime in on that? I’m sure they’d like to get rid of that contract if they could (and maybe roll with a cheaper alternative like Bowden).

    This leaves Allen Hurns and Robert Foster. Again, I’m giving the edge to the new guy (Foster). He’s just as big but brings an element of speed that Hurns doesn’t have.

    Cuts:

    Durham Smythe
    He's going to get forced out. I think Shaheen’s the better receiver and clearly Long makes it in baring anything crazy.

    Jakeem Grant
    I think the experiment is over. I just don’t see a way to keep him over other options. Even if you like his return abilities, I don't see keeping him over the other options who are all objectively more productive WRs.

    Allen Hurns
    It’s probably a good sign when Miami can afford to cut a solid player. Maybe they can trade him? Hurns is not a bad player. He's just not good enough to consider an asset now.

    Lynn Bowden
    I think Miami keeps him if they retain a WR7 or if they can get out of Wilson’s contract. I wouldn't write him off.

    Malcolm Perry
    Seems obvious at this point. He's the low man on the totem pole. There's no way you keep him with where he ranks.
     
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  2. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    Any idea how much those cuts would save in salary cap?
     
  3. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Personally, I'm a lot higher on Preston Williams than others here because he felt like the natural WR1 both seasons across Fitzpatrick, Rosen and Tua. All three were going to him deep early and often, so I think the read as fans is different than the read QB's have in that locker room. I have a feeling that he's almost a lock in this offense.

    My odd men out would be Grant, Smythe and Perry...possibly Albert Wilson as well. The only non-rookie lock I see is Gisecki though. If someone came knocking, I'm sure that Parker would be available for the right price. I can't stand soft players!
     
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  4. Fishhead

    Fishhead Well-Known Member

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    Do you think they keep Hurns and Bowden?
     
  5. Pennington's Limp Arm

    Pennington's Limp Arm Well-Known Member

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    Lynn Bowden is a lock to make this team. Brass are infatuated with him. All the stories pre draft about how badly we wanted him. We missed on draft day. But that didn’t stop them from grabbing him mid season and sacrificing a 3rd rounder when he hadn’t even gotten off the Raiders bench.

    He then came in and through all the injuries established himself as a safety valve for Tua at the end of the year. They had a chemistry and he was getting an average of 8 targets a game in the last quarter of the season. And he looked good and was consistently getting open underneath.

    They also love the versatile/gadget stuff he can provide. Remember when we missed at the draft. Miami used a 7th on Malcolm Perry... another college QB/RB converting to wideout. Before that They signed Albert Wilson another former QB. I think they want an active receiver who brings the threat of gadget plays.

    Especially now with no Fitz to come off the bench! If the offense goes stale in a game they can run a couple wildcat plays or an end around throw down field with Bowden. Heck he might get 3rd down snaps lined up as a pass catching running back.

    Plus he is cheap and can play special teams. Everything points to him having an actual role beyond making the team.


    5 LOCKS;
    I have Waddle, Parker, Fuller, Bowden and Hollins (Special Teams ace ) as the 5 WR who will make the team.

    2 UP FOR GRABS;
    with all the injuries last year we probably keep 7 WR again. Competing for the final 2 spots. I have Williams, Foster, Hurns and Wilson. (this will be legit competition)

    PRACTICE
    I think they’ll try and sneak Perry through to practice squad.

    CUT;
    Grant will be cut during offseason. He rounds his routes, has a small catch radius and had drop problems. We also have speed at the position now (Waddle/Fuller). As a returner he can be electric, but also struggles to field the ball cleanly/pure. And also gets caught dancing in place and doesn’t get up field as quickly as you would like. His 4.7M price tag is too much.
    Waddle, Holland, Wilson And Bowden can all return punts/kicks.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2021
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  6. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

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    People are way too infatuated with Lynn Bowden.
     
  7. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Yup, I think they both make the team. Bowden feels safer than Hurns (to me), but I think they both have a good shot at staying.
     
  8. Pennington's Limp Arm

    Pennington's Limp Arm Well-Known Member

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    I’m just connecting the dots.
    The team seems to love him and his ‘type’.
     
  9. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    What stands out to me in the Bowden "highlights" is how limited the offense was towards the end. He was being constantly getting the ball within 4-yds of the LOS and being asked to basically manufacture yards. It is frustrating to watch. No WR would do very well there.

    On the contrary, Albert Wilson's highlights show a bit more speed and open-field ability. I am curious whether Albert Wilson will return that type of player. He has a game-speed that certainly looks to be a notch above Bowden, but he's quite a bit more expensive and Bowden looks pretty tough, whereas we know Wilson has faced injuries in the past.
     
  10. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

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    It was very encouraging to me when I sad Wilson working out with Tua on the field a couple of weeks ago.

    Tells me he's going to be in shape and misses the game.
     

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