Kelly: Dolphins start with a clean slate, and blank canvas on offense | Opinion
Potential is a dangerous term because it doesn’t guarantee fulfillment, or the satisfaction of meeting expectations.
That explains why outside of De’Von Achane, who was named to the Pro Bowl last season after combining for 1,838 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns, the Miami Dolphins arsenal of offensive weaponry is made up of “has been” playmakers, “coulda been” receivers, “never was” tailbacks and tight ends, and those with unknown potential (the rookies) and unproven talent.
That explains why everyone is on even footing heading into next week’s start of on-field work during Organization Training Activities, according to Miami’s new coaches, who intend to build Malik Willis’ offense around whoever shines this summer.
“Whether you’ve been here before, or you’ve been drafted here, we’re a new staff. We have a new GM. Everything is new. I told them everyone is on the same page,” receiver coach Tyke Tolbert said, referring to his room. “Everybody sees that in all the practices we’ve been having. They get all equal reps, so nobody is given anything here. That’s what makes the competition fun.”
By competition, Tolbert is referring to all the on-field, and off-field drills the Dolphins have been doing this offseason, which get so competitive players routinely request to see the film because a daily winner is declared, and the leader is tracked.
The Dolphins are creating an environment where everyone’s laboring to establish themselves, proving they can be more than they previously have.
Terrace Marshall Jr., a 2021 second-round pick, was once the third wheel on one of college football’s top offenses. He scored 13 touchdowns catching passes for Joe Burrow while playing alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson at LSU in 2019. Then another 10 the following season.
But Marshall’s career fizzled out in the NFL before the Dolphins offered him a lifeline this spring.
Tutu Atwell, a former South Florida prep standout, lived off promise and potential most of his brief professional career.
Atwell, who was also a 2021 second-round pick, was often viewed as the next man up in Los Angeles, right up until Puka Nacua emerged as one of the NFL’s top young receivers, and the Rams acquired Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams as a free agent last offseason.
That’s when Atwell became the forgotten wideout.
His South Florida homecoming provides the Miami Northwestern standout a chance to pick up where he left off in 2024, a season the 5-foot-9, 165 pound speedster caught 42 passes for 562 yards.
The Cowboys took Jalen Tolbert in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, but the season after he began to emerge Dallas traded for George Pickens, who caught a career-high 93 passes last season, and put Tolbert out to pasture.
Miami provides all three of those receivers minimum based salaries, and a chance to resuscitate their NFL careers. But they’ll need to hold off the rookie draftees - Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. - to do so.
Tyke Tolbert singled out Marshall, whom he’s been a fan of since he’s an LSU product himself, as one of the receivers who has impressed early.
“He brings a physical presence. That’s what we’re looking for from him,” Tyke Tolbert said. “I’m biased towards him because I’m an LSU alum. I’ve watched him do it for a while. I know what he can do. It’s my job to coach him up and get him back to the level I once believed he could be.”
During his three seasons with the Panthers, which was followed by two years on three different practice squads, Marshall caught 67 passes for 808 yards and one touchdowns.
His catch total (67) is matched by tight end Greg Dulcich, who Miami re-signed this offseason. Dulcich, who is entering season No. 5 in the NFL, has pulled in 67 receptions for 799 yards and three touchdowns in four previous seasons.
Atwell has the most receptions, having caught 105 passes for 1,535 yards and six touchdowns in his five seasons. And Jalen Tolbert, who has pulled in 91 receptions for 1,093 yards, has scored the most NFL touchdowns (10).
“We’re trying to see what they do best. What they look like. What they can retain from day to day in the installs, and build on their skillset,” pass game coordinator Kevin Patullo said. “We watched the guys that were here, and the guys incoming from college and try to match the offense with their skill set. We are putting that blend together with different things. Put guys in the best possible spot to make sure they are successful on every play.”
And most importantly, make sure the Dolphins offense looks respectable in 2026.
This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 3:55 PM.
