REPORT: Miami Dolphins Interested in Dynamic WR
The Miami Dolphins are reportedly seeking to bolster their wide receiver corps while doing the salary cap dance. They’ve been hard at work shaking plenty of trees, including a report about Robbie Chosen. Among the reports, one recently added an interesting layer for the Dolphins. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Fins are looking at the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins.
The Fit for the Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have already re-signed Braxton Berrios to add to a wide receiver room that features Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, with 2022 fourth-round pick Erik Ezukanma also in play.
However, their need for a wide receiver is troubled by working with a tight salary cap. The Miami Dolphins only have just over $3.4 million available to replace the trio of Cedrick Wilson Jr., Chase Claypool, and River Cracraft who all left via free agency. That figure is the lowest one in the NFL.
The team is heavily reliant on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Both receivers commanded more than 18 combined targets per game in the previous season, highlighting the need for complementary players who can efficiently capitalize on fewer opportunities. The Fins also need depth that can handle a more substantial role if either Hill or Waddle were sidelined for a significant time.
That’s where a move like Quez Watkins could make a lot of sense for the Dolphins.
Quez Watkins and the Potential
Quez Watkins, at 25 years old, brings a promising profile to the table. In 2023, he started nine games for the Philadelphia Eagles, was targeted 21 times, and secured 15 catches, including a touchdown. Despite these modest numbers this past season, Watkins has shown plenty of value, as recently as 2021, when he amassed a career-high 647 receiving yards, primarily from the slot position. His versatility to help on special teams also helps his case, with a career total of 14 kick returns, although he only returned one kick last season.
Watkins, the Eagles’ sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has accumulated 98 receptions, 1,249 yards, and six touchdowns over his career. Despite his potential, Watkins’ tenure with the Eagles had its lows, particularly when he dropped a pass in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs that could have helped the Eagles seal a Super Bowl win.
Adding a player like Watkins could provide the necessary support to alleviate the pressure on Hill and Waddle, ensuring the Dolphins’ offense remains dynamic and versatile even in the face of injuries.
In Quez Watkins, a signing could represent a savvy move, offering a blend of experience and potential that could invigorate Miami’s passing game.
