What analysts are saying about Dolphins’ selection of Caleb Douglas at No. 75
Feedback, reaction on the Dolphins’ selection of 6-3 Texas Tech receiver/75th overall pick Caleb Douglas, who had 54 catches for 846 yards and 7 TDs last season and 60-877-6 for the Red Raiders in 2024, after spending his first two years at Florida:
▪ ESPN’s Field Yates: “At 6-3, 206 pounds, 4.39 speed. He’s tall and he’s fast. He’s got to get stronger. I saw him in the red zone get muscled up. I like some of the route versatility.”
▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper: “He has size. His average per catch was nearly 16 yards. In the Houston game, he was unstoppable. Very good length. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder. High points it. Impressive catch radius. Good body control. He has to be a little more consistent catching the ball. Overall, I thought he improved his game where smaller corners have a tough time matching up in the red zone. Good hand-eye coordination.”
▪ ESPN’s Louis Riddick: “Those seven drops [last season] are a little bit disappointing.”
▪ NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said he was a fifth or sixth rounder in his view and projects as a backup at best:
“Douglas is a long, slender outside target with good production but uneven tape. He has enticing moments, showcasing his catch radius/ball skills on fades and deep throws. Douglas’ focus drops and an inability to win contested catches at a high enough rate can’t be overlooked, though.
“He shows quick acceleration for a tall receiver, but his top-end speed is relatively non-threatening to defenses. Douglas can expect to be crowded by NFL cornerbacks and forced to prove he can uncover. There are flashes to build on, but he’ll have to battle to make a roster as a backup.”
▪ NFL Net’s Daniel Jeremiah: “He ran a 4.39 [at the Combine]. A big time vertical stretch receiver. Plays outside, lot of deep over routes. Tracks the ball well. Long stride, can eat ground up in a hurry.”
▪ NFL Net’s Joel Klatt: “Their offensive coordinator [at Texas Tech] tried to blend three schemes -- the spread run game, the true Air Raid and that deep choice game that Tennessee runs. Caleb Douglas was best when they were in that mode, stretching down the field, long strides.”
ESPN.com said he was the 26th best receiver in the draft and a “significant reach.”
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 10:05 PM.
