One year after putting together arguably the worst free agency class in the history of the NFL, Miami took a lower-key approach to this phase of player acquisition in 2021.
Perhaps the biggest name was former first-rounder and Houston Texan wideout Will Fuller V, who was one of the last big-name receivers to be signed. Inking a one-year, $10.6 million contract, the burner will be betting on himself this season.
The pluses: Fuller can undeniably fly, running a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the 2016 NFL combine. Entering his sixth season in the league, he just turned 27 years old, so he should be entering the peak of his career. At 6-0, 184 pounds, the Notre Dame product is coming off his best season (879 yards, 16.6 yards per catch, eight touchdowns), averaging nearly 80 yards per game, good for 10th in the league. Landing Fuller on a one-year deal could be seen as something of a coup for the 'Fins.
The negatives: Plagued by injuries, Fuller has only played more than 13 games once in his career and is averaging a little more than just 10 games played per season. As a result, he's never had a 1,000-yard season and was seen as a bit of an underachiever in Houston. On top of all that, he was suspended for PEDs last season, and his penalty will extend to the first game of 2021 in Miami.
The bottom line: The Dolphins are hoping that Fuller is simply a late bloomer in the vein of the guy who will play on the opposite side of the field, Devante Parker. Fuller brings a pure speed element that Miami desperately lacked last year, and even if his inconsistency persists, his presence alone should force defenses to rethink the looks they give the 'Fins. If he can deliver on his immense promise, he'll certainly be looking to cash in on the free agent market again in 2022 -- a "problem" that Miami would be happy to face if it comes to fruition.
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