Quarterback Malik Willis is already paying dividends for the Miami Dolphins. With Willis on board, the Dolphins have now signed a second wide receiver this week — Jalen Tolbert.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Dolphins agreed to a 1-year deal with Tolbert. Schultz wrote on social media his previous relationship with Miami’s new signal-caller was a significant factor in his signing.
“He’s a red zone threat with good size and now gets a strong opportunity with the Dolphins’ current WR depth chart,” Schultz also wrote.
In four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Tolbert posted 91 catches, 1,093 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Cowboys drafted Tolbert at No. 88 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. His best statistical season came during 2024 when he caught 49 receptions for 610 yards and seven scores.
Last season, Tolbert finished fifth among Cowboys wideouts in receiving.
Dolphins Sign WR Jalen Tolbert: Report
The 27-year-old wideout has never played on an official team with Willis. But the receiver and quarterback developed a relationship at the 2022 Senior Bowl.
Tolbert and Willis then were both third-round picks in the 2022 draft. In fact, just one pick separated the two prospects. Willis landed with the Tennessee Titans at No. 86 overall while Tolbert went to Dallas at No. 88.
Tolbert carved out a nice role as a possession receiver in Mike McCarthy’s offense during 2024. He worked well with Dak Prescott and backup Cooper Rush.
But last season with Brian Schottenheimer as head coach, Tolbert took a back seat to not only George Pickens but also Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin.
With 18 catches for 203 receiving yards, Tolbert was behind both of those receivers in catches and yards. Tolbert also had just one touchdown.
In Miami, though, he will be part of an offense that will be trying to replace former All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins also signed veteran wideout TuTu Atwell this week in free agency.
The Dolphins made a splash early in free agency with a 3-year, $67.5 million deal to get Willis. The former third-round signal-caller reunited with former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is Miami’s new head coach.
Besides Willis, Miami has added or re-signed a lot of veterans on 1-year contracts this week. In addition to the two receivers, the Dolphins signed tight ends Greg Dulcich (that was a re-signing) and Ben Sims.
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Miami will undergo significant changes this offseason, especially at the skilled position spots. But the team’s best two playmakers from last season, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane, are set to return.
Achane made the Pro Bowl with 1,350 rushing yards, leading the league with 5.7 yards per carry. He also caught a team-high 67 passes for an additional 488 yards.
Waddle led the Dolphins with 910 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He has yet to make the Pro Bowl, but he’s eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times in his career.
Playing opposite Hill in 2022, Waddle was first in the league with 18.1 yards per reception.
Waddle will be Miami’s WR1 going forward. It’ll be interesting to see how he adapts to that role. He hasn’t reach 1,000 receiving yards in either of the past two seasons while Hill has battled injuries.
It will also be interesting to see if Tolbert’s relationship with Willis gives him an inside track to be Miami’s WR2.
Malik Washington was second among Dolphins receivers with 317 yards last season. Washington will return next year, but he averaged just 6.9 yards per reception in 2025.
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