One of the biggest needs on the Miami Dolphins roster is wide receiver. This offseason, the Dolphins released wide receiver Tyreek Hill after the All-Pro suffered a devastating dislocated knee that caused him to miss the majority of the 2025 season. Additionally, the team traded wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
While Miami drafted two receivers in the third round of this year’s draft and added free agents Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, the Dolphins lack proven talent at the position. One option Miami could explore is a possible reunion with veteran wide receiver Chase Claypool, who is attempting a comeback after not playing in the NFL since the 2023 season with the Dolphins.
Former Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Attempting NFL Comeback
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chase Claypool is currently attending Packers rookie camp as he tries to make his way back onto an NFL roster
The Dolphins traded for Claypool during the 2025 season, giving the Chicago Bears a sixth-round selection in exchange for a receiver who totaled nine touchdowns in his rookie season
Claypool’s career got off to a hot start with the Pittsburgh Steelers as he totaled over 800 receiving yards in his first two seasons after being drafted in the second round. Despite his young age, his career declined the following season after being traded to the Bears in exchange for a second-round pick.
Chicago moved him to Miami after appearing in only 10 games with the Bears. As a member of the Dolphins, Claypool failed to make much of an impact as he recorded only four receptions for 26 yards in nine games. He would then sign with the Buffalo Bills in free agency, but was released after suffering an injury in training camp, where he had reportedly been a consistent performer prior to his injury.
Due to the majority of Claypool’s production coming in the first two seasons of his rookie contract, the receiver who once seemed poised for stardom has totaled only $8 million in career earnings, but a possible comeback may increase that figure.
Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver
If Claypool does not secure a contract with the Packers, Miami could offer him an opportunity. He would certainly not be a sure thing, but he would become the only Dolphins wide receiver who had a season of over 800 receiving yards in his career.
Miami may also be monitoring the status of rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Bell, who fell in the draft as a result of a late-season ACL tear that may cause him to miss a portion of training camp or the beginning of the regular season.
Regarding his slide in the draft, Bell said, “[The injury] had me frustrated [during the draft], just knowing that I was better than some of the guys that went off the board [ahead of me]… I’m just blessed to be in a good position… I’ve been having this [draft eligible receivers] ranking on the front of my home screen since this pre-draft started. It’s going to be on my mind. I’m going to write that on my mirror and every day I wake up, I’m going to tell myself, this is how many guys they took before you. This is how long it took you to get drafted. I’m going to show everybody — prove to everybody — like I said, I am who I say I am.“
If Bell is healthy and able to show the Dolphins coaching staff his true talent level, that may solve some of the question marks regarding the wide receiver position in Miami.
Former Dolphins $8 Million Wide Receiver Attempting NFL Comeback