Dolphins rookie receivers get their chance: ‘I don’t think there’s any ceiling’

Miami Dolphins admin September 11, 2026 0 Comments

Dolphins rookie receivers get their chance: ‘I don’t think there’s any ceiling’

A Dolphins six-pack on a Friday, entering Sunday’s opener at Las Vegas (4:25 p.m., Fox 7):

▪ It would be so helpful to the rebuild if the Dolphins hit on both third-round receivers — 6-2 Chris Bell and 6-4 Caleb Douglas, and to a lesser extent, fifth-rounder Kevin Coleman Jr. Their progress, and the position in general, has become one of the interesting story lines of the season.

“The best thing a receiver room can be built with is guys that don’t do the same thing,” said 5-8 veteran Malik Washington, who will start with Douglas and Bell in three receiver sets.

This group doesn’t.

“We are going to complement each other really well. We have deep threats, we have guys who can go over the middle, we’ve got guys who can catch outside, and we’ve got guys who can catch underneath and get YAC [yards after catch]. I think it’s going to be a good room.”

Washington said Douglas “moves really, really well, especially for his size. He’s a little bit lanky but moves with that length. Chris is a big guy that can run fast and run through people.”

Unlike the other rookie receivers, Coleman isn’t starting (it’s unclear if he will even be in the rotation) but said that hasn’t left him down. “I’m happy for those guys; I know my opportunity will come,” he said.

Coleman said he and Douglas and Bell “talk every day about how this thing can go,” and what they collectively can do in the league.

“I don’t think there’s any ceiling,” Coleman said. “There’s no first round guy; we’ve got to put stuff on tape and prove to the world who we are. Caleb, at 6-4, he’s got speed and can run routes. Chris was built in a lab — has speed, ability like a small guy to move at 230.”

▪ Washington said he has worked to build his stamina in anticipation of playing a large role on both offense and special teams.

Washington has tried to build his endurance by running after practice. But “the main thing is… try not to take myself out of practice. Try to keep going, keep going, push myself. We’ll see if it works on Sunday.”

Among players who returned at least 30 kickoffs last season, Washington was fourth in average at 26.8.

Among players who returned at least 20 punts, he ranked seventh in average at 13.0.

Washington played 45 and 57 percent of the Dolphins offensive snaps in his first two seasons. That number likely will jump.

Unlike the other rookie receivers, Coleman isn’t starting (it’s unclear if he will even be in the rotation) but said that hasn’t left him down. “I’m happy for those guys; I know my opportunity will come,” he said.

▪ I asked linebacker Jordyn Brooks what young player, besides linebacker Chop Robinson, comes to mind when asked who’s most improved on the defense.

He mentioned second-year defensive linemen Zeek Biggers and Jordan Phillips.

“They really had a big jump, “ Brooks said. “Those second year guys have been hungry all offseason. They didn’t go home [this offseason]. They’ve been here the entire offseason. They’re going to have a big year.”

▪ De’Von Achane’s individual goal this season?

A rushing title.

He was fifth in the league in 2025 with 1,350 rushing yards, behind Buffalo’s James Cook (1,621), Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (1,595), the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor (1,585) and Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson (1,478).

Achane led the league in per carry average at 5.7.

Does Achane expect new coordinator Bobby Slowik — a holdover from Mike McDaniel’s staff – to utilize him the same way?

“Slo was here last year with Mike, so some stuff is the same, [but] some things are different,” Achane said. “But at the same time, I feel like Slo uses me in the pass game, run game, so it’s good for me.”

Last season, McDaniel had Achane run roughly 48.3% of his total routes either from the slot or out wide rather than out of the backfield, leading all NFL running backs in that category. He lined up in the slot 106 times and out wide 42 times last year.

▪ Asked what emotions he expects to experience moments before his first NFL start, first-round pick Kadyn Proctor, the starter at left guard, said: “I feel like they’ll be high…. I’ll probably cry a little bit. We’ll see.”

Is he stronger in run blocking or pass protection?

“Run game is probably my strong suit,” he said. “I’m a big dude, so I like being a mauler. I would say that’s a little bit above pass pro, but I’m still pretty solid in there.”

He said he appreciates when people acknowledge how athletic he is for his size.

“I take great pride in that,” he said. “I just try to show my teammates that I’m not a big sloppy dude.”

▪ Not a single Dolphin has an injury designation for the game. Tight end Will Kacmarek (calf) and linebacker Ronnie Harrison (hamstring) were limited Wednesday and Thursday but were full participants Friday and will play Sunday, coach Jeff Hafley said.