Team news: Miami Dolphins

Caleb Douglas ran 32 routes and was targeted seven times. And this wasn't a five-catch effort predicated on quick throws and screen passes; he is functioning as one of Miami's primary downfield threats.

Related players: Malik Washington, Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman

We knew someone had to catch the ball in Miami and if you followed 4for4.com news this summer you know there was a lot of positive press about Douglas. The Miami offense struggled overall, which is going to make most Dolphin players tough to trust in fantasy lineups, but Douglas is a name to watch in the early season at the WR position. Washington led the way with eight targets and Bell, who had some injuries this summer, had two targets and is another name to watch in this offense.

Jeff Hafley on Dolphins rookies Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas being listed as Week 1 starters:

"We believe those guys deserve to start, and we're gonna start them."

Said there's no pitch count on Chris Bell

Related Players: Malik Washington, Caleb Douglas, Jalen Tolbert

Removing the pitch-count concern gives Bell a legitimate opportunity to play a full complement of perimeter snaps immediately. His NFL debut, abbreviated preparation and Miami’s unsettled passing-game hierarchy still make him a bench stash rather than a Week 1 starter. The news further narrows Tolbert’s path to meaningful snaps.

The Miami Dolphins listed Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Malik Washington as their starting WRs.

Both Douglas and Bell are rookies while Washington enters his third season. Bell was the lower draft pick and taken in the third round. He was coming off an injury in college and those who are dynasty league experts believe Bell could have gone higher if not for that, and, could end up a real value for the Dolphins. Douglas was taken higher in the third round, but many thought he'd be taken later in drafts. While both players would be risky to start in Week 1 in typical fantasy leagues, both may be worth stashing right now if you have the room on your roster, especially if one, or both, get off to hot starts to the season.

Chris Bell says he’s working to get into football shape, but…"I'm going to be ready Game 1. I'm going to be ready." - Bell.

Related Players: Malik Washington, Caleb Douglas, Jalen Tolbert, Kevin Coleman Jr.

Bell’s path to a meaningful role remains open in Miami’s unsettled receiver room, but his conditioning makes an immediate early-season breakout less likely. Washington and Douglas currently offer safer paths to September snaps, while Bell remains a late-round upside stash.

Jeff Hafley said Dolphins traded for Kyle McCord to be team's QB2. But he added he expects Brady Cook to make a push.

Related players: Malik Willis

This is probably only something to pay attention to in the deepest superflex leagues. Those already owning stock in the Dolphins passing game are already concerned enough, but if something were to happen to Willis, the situation likely isn't going to be very promising. McCord was traded by the Packers while Cook made five starts for the Jets at the end of last season.

Trade: Dolphins traded WR Tutu Atwell back to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for RB Jarquez Hunter, sources tell ESPN.

Related Players: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Malik Washington, Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Jalen Tolbert, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon

Atwell gives the Rams a familiar situational deep threat but remains unlikely to command enough volume for redraft relevance.

As for Miami, Atwell’s departure strengthens the roster cases for Tolbert, Douglas, and Bell. Hunter’s strong preseason gives him an opportunity to compete with Wright and Gordon behind De’Von Achane, though it doesn't shift anything for fantasy managers at the moment.

Dolphins first (unofficial) depth chart is out:

- Caleb Douglas listed as a starting WR

Related players: Malik Washington, Chris Bell, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell

The Dolphins don't have household names at WR heading into this season and for those of you who have done dynasty league drafts, you may not be shocked to see Douglas listed as a starter. Douglas was picked after Bell this past spring but has been a popular later-round target in dynasty drafts since the NFL Draft. Yes, we are still a few weeks away from the start of the season and depth charts don't mean a whole lot, but in this case, given the buzz around Douglas much of the offseason, there could be something to this.

Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley told Rich Eisen that De'Von Achane is going to have some games when he’ll be such a workhorse that he’ll hardly be able to walk back to the locker room when it’s over.

“I just gave Achane a heads-up this morning and I told him you better be in good shape,” Hafley said. “I told him there might be some games when I have to pick him up and carry him back to the locker room because he’s going to be so tired. I told him I don’t ever want to see one of these head taps all year, and he looked me right in the eye and he said, ‘You’ll never get that head tap from me.’"

Related players: Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon

No NFL player has had 40 touches in a game since Derrick Henry had 41 in a game in 2021, the story said. This report likely has a bit of sarcasm to it, but in the right game that remains close throughout, it's possible the Dolphins rely on Achane to close it out, and he can get to that 40-touch total - especially considering his use in the passing game. The Dolphins have Wright and Gordon as well, so to give Achane a consistent, large workload doesn't seem all that likely. He averaged about 19 touches a game last season.

Jeff Hafley reaffirms the Dolphins’ patient approach with rookie WR Chris Bell

He said they don’t want to rush him back to a point where he suffers a setback early in his career. Still not establishing a timeline for his return.

“But he looks good though, right?”

Related Players: Caleb Douglas, Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell

Bell has generated plenty of fantasy buzz, but his extended absence is costing him valuable opportunities to establish a role in an unsettled Dolphins receiver room. Hafley’s positive assessment is encouraging, though Bell will remain more of a deep league late-round upside selection until Miami provides a return timetable and he begins receiving consistent practice reps.

It wouldn't shock me if tight end Greg Dulcich flirts with the team lead in catches. Word is that Dulcich developed a chemistry with Malik Willis in the spring and it has carried over to the summer.

Given the lack of big names at WR, Dulcich could be in store for a nice season. Dulcich, of course, was a big prospect when he was with the Broncos, and while it seems like forever ago, Dulcich is only 26-years-old. He's a name at the position to watch out for, especially later in drafts. He's only played in 17 NFL games the last two seasons combined, so he'll need to stay healthy.