Foundation or flash? Dolphins meet possible wide receiver, offensive line additions at combine
.JPG "Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson catches a pass during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)")
The reactions on social media to Thursday night’s unofficial 40-yard dash times from wide receivers were almost as quick as the blazing runs.
A 4.26 from Ohio State’s Chris Olave.
A 4.21 from Baylor’s Tyquan Thornton.
The eventual official times clocked weren’t quite as speedy but still spoke to how dynamic the deep class of wideouts is. A record eight receivers registered 4.4 40 times or faster at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and the 2022 draft class averaged a 40 time of 4.48, the fastest for any position group at a single combine since 2003.
The Dolphins are picking No. 29 overall and are expected to have a number of options to address their two biggest needs — wide receiver and offensive line. Even with the start of free agency over a week away, the pick could be an illuminating look at how the organization views its roster and wants to build with new coach Mike McDaniel.
Despite McDaniel’s expertise in the running game and the team looking for good value at running back, another pass-catcher opposite Jaylen Waddle is imperative after DeVante Parker was sidelined by injuries and other receivers failed to step up.
Penn State’s Jahan Doston and Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams both met with the Dolphins in Indianapolis and are among the wideouts whom the team could select with its first-round pick.
Williams — 6-1 and 179 pounds — is regarded as one of the top wideouts in the draft but tore his ACL during the College Football National Championship in January. It’s unclear how the injury may affect his draft stock at this point. Williams said Wednesday that he’s six weeks removed from surgery. His rehab process is supposed to take about five to seven months, which would open the possibility of him returning to the field during training camp.
In 2021, Williams’ 671 deep yards — receiving yards on passes that traveled at least 20 air yards — ranked fifth in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. While he wasn’t able to test with his fellow wideouts at the combine, Williams remains confident in his big-play ability in the NFL.
“I just know nobody can run with me. Just say whatever the fastest 40 time here, I’m faster,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have a clear connection to one of the draft’s top interior offensive line prospects, Boston College’s Zion Johnson, who was coached by new Dolphins offensive line coach Matt Applebaum. As of Thursday, Johnson had not met with the Dolphins at the combine but joked Applebaum has likely shared plenty of intel.
Johnson, 6-3 and 312 pounds, didn’t start playing football until he was 16 but was a quick learner. He went to Davidson, where he was first coached by Applebaum, and then joined him at Boston College, where he was voted All-ACC First Team this past season. Regarded as an instant starter at either guard or center, Johnson was a standout at the offensive linemen workouts Friday, performing 32 reps on the bench press.
The Dolphins have intentions to improve an offensive line that was one of the league’s worst units in 2021 but remain bullish on the ceiling of a young group of players that are recent high draft picks, which could lead them away from spending another high pick at the position.
“We’ve invested in it. Draft picks,” general manager Chris Grier said. “Those guys need to play better. They understand that. But I will say that Mike, [offensive coordinator] Frank Smith coming over was an O-line coach with the Chargers and coach Applebaum have all talked, they’re very excited about the development of these young players. They said they all liked these young players coming out in the draft with their previous teams. They’re very excited about the potential, the developmental upside of them. Listening to Mike too talk about them, there’s talent there and we’ve just gotta find a way to unlock it and get these guys to play better. The good thing is all those guys, they’re good guys, they’re competitive, they’re tough, they want to be good. I think they’re looking forward to playing in this offense.”
