The Miami Dolphins inked speedy wide receiver Will Fuller to a one-year deal in free agency and the addition should aid Tua Tagovailoa greatly.
Last offseason, we saw the Miami Dolphins go all-out in free agency to improve the defense. Under the tutelage of head coach Brian Flores, the plan worked as the Fins boasted one of the league’s best units on that side of the ball. Now comes the task of getting young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the offense to catch up. Will Fuller will help with that.
The Dolphins signed the former Texans wide receiver to a one-year, $10.6 million deal in free agency. Fuller stated, per NFL.com’s Kevin Patra, that he took a short contract to prove to the league and Miami that he’s “a player that they would love to have long-term.” You have to love that motivation in itself.
More so than getting a motivated and talented player — albeit one who will be out Week 1 as he wraps up a PED suspension — Miami is also getting a player who will be hugely important to the offense. Not only can he create some magic down the field but his presence and skill-set will open things up for Tagovailoa and, hopefully, allow him to develop further.
Will Fuller gives the Dolphins offense a dynamic element it’s been lacking.
When you look at the Miami receiving corps, there is a through-line with the players they have in tow, save for Jakeem Grant. Guys like DeVante Parker and Preston Williams are big-bodied playmakers who, while they can work downfield, are successful largely due to their size and the challenges that presents to defensive backs.
Fuller is a different style of player. The 6-0, 184-pounder has struggled to stay on the field throughout his time with Houston, playing no more than 11 games in each of the last four seasons. However, he’s been a wildly productive and dangerous deep threat when on the field.
Over his five-year career, the Notre Dame product has averaged 14.9 yards per reception, including 16.6 yards per catch in 11 games last season and three seasons over 15.0 yards per grab. For reference, Williams averaged 16.0 yards per reception for the Dolphins last year but only over 18 catches. The next highest average was tight end Mike Gesicki at 13.3 with Parker at 12.6.
The elite ability to line up anywhere and run the 9-routes, post routes and other downfield work will allow the Dolphins to work different sets into their game. That will open up the field for Tagovailoa to see and that, in turn, will put him in more comfortable situations.
Tua had his warts as a rookie but there is obvious talent that made him the No. 5 pick in the NFL Draft. Adding Will Fuller to the group of pass-catchers, though, is exactly the type of move that can help unlock the young quarterback’s ability and, frankly, help the Dolphins take a step forward on that side of the ball to, hopefully, match the defense and propel the team into the playoffs.