Berrios Brings New Element to Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins added a player whose skill set provides two element of the game that were missing from the team last season.
Former University of Miami receiver Braxton Berrios is signing a one-year deal with the Dolphins, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. If Berrios, a 2018 sixth-round pick, makes it onto Miami’s 53-man roster, the 27-year-old likely will upgrade Miami’s special teams return game and compete for a starting receiver role.
The details of the contract for the slot receiver and return specialist haven’t been reported, but the fourth-year veteran, who was released by the New York Jets earlier this month in an effort to create cap space for the potential trade for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, strategically targeted the Dolphins as his next team, according to a league source.
BERRIOS COULD FILL DIFFERENT ROLES FOR DOLPHINS
Last season the Dolphins had a revolving door at slot receiver, and Miami’s punt return game was dismal. Berrios has averaged 11.4 yards on 67 career punt returns, and 24.9 yards and a touchdown on 67 career kickoff returns.
He’s not as dynamic a returner as Tyreek Hill, but he’s consistent, which wasn’t the case with Cedrick Wilson Jr., who gained 97 yards on 13 punt returns last season.
Berrios is also a promising slot receiver, tallying 107 catches for 1085 yards (10.1 average) and scoring five touchdowns for the Jets over the past four seasons. He played that position exclusively at the University of Miami, where he was a four-year starter.
His slot resume might be why Hill expressed his excitement for Berrios’ signing by calling him “Wes Welker 2.0” on Twitter. Welker, a former NFL standout player, excelled at the slot position, and happens to be coach of Miami's wide receiver unit.
Last season Berrios pulled down 18 receptions for 145 yards, but the Jets passing game struggled mightily.
DOLPHINS FILL A NEED AT WIDE RECEIVER
Adding to the receiver position was a priority for the Dolphins because Miami entered the start of free agency this week with five receivers — Hill, Waddle, Wilson, Erik Ezukanma and Braylon Sanders, who both were rookies last season, on the roster.
The Dolphins typically take 10-12 receivers into training camp.
River Cracraft and Trent Sherfield, the two players who filled Miami's slot role, along with tight end Mike Gesicki last season, are unrestricted free agents. So is Gesicki, who hasn’t been re-signed or signed elsewhere as of early Thursday afternoon.
Berrios became the third Jets player to join the Dolphins this week following QB Mike White and OL Dan Feeney.
