NFL exec criticizes Miami Dolphins’ moves at WR, questions how things will work with Tua Tagovailoa at QB

By Orel Dizon
Updated: May 6, 2022

The Miami Dolphins have made several moves in the offseason in hopes of improving their offense.

However, one NFL executive believes the team’s additions at wide receiver do not necessarily move the needle for Miami.

“They made all these moves at receiver, but I don’t really see how that is going to work with their quarterback,” the exec told The Athletic. “Are you just going to have him dink and dunk you to death and hope your little guys are going to break all these tackles? I don’t know. I probably would rather have DeVonta Smith and a first-round pick than [Jaylen] Waddle, and then now you trade all that for Tyreek Hill, who is older, and you paid him all that money. To me, they are still, what, borderline second- to third-best team in their division? I don’t know.”

It is quite interesting for the executive to compare Waddle to Smith. Both wide receivers were top-10 selections in the 2021 NFL Draft, with Waddle going to Miami sixth overall and Smith landing with the Philadelphia Eagles four picks later.

Waddle had a solid first year in the league, catching 104 passes, which set an NFL rookie record for most receptions in a single season. He also went for 1,015 receiving yards and had seven total touchdowns, one of which came on the ground. On the other hand, Smith had 64 receptions for 916 yards and five touchdowns.

As for Hill, Miami got him in a blockbuster trade with the Kansas City Chiefs in late March. While several Dolphins players celebrated the acquisition, the move was also met with some concern since the team had to part ways with a significant number of draft assets to complete the deal.

Even so, the Dolphins clearly felt confident in the move. After all, Hill is seen as one of the best wide receivers in the league and brings with him championship pedigree. The six-time Pro Bowler won the Super Bowl in the 2019 season.

Miami has one of the fastest receiver rooms in the NFL. The organization and its fans are hoping that first-year Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel will maximize the amount of offensive talent on the roster.