Jaylen Waddle celebrates with Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins after gaining yardage against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)Getty Images
The preparation for the 2024 season has already begun for Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The duo joined coach Brandon White in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday where they ran routes and performed speed and agility drills. Hill and Waddle documented the training session on Instagram, and eagle-eyed viewers noticed a familiar face in the background.
Training alongside the Dolphins receiving tandem was Ricky Pearsall, a wide receiver out of the University of Florida. Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, Pearsall is projected to land in the second round. Pearsall started his collegiate career at the University of Arizona before transferring to Florida in 2022.
During his two-year stint with the Gators, the pass-catcher recorded 98 receptions for 1,626 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Pearsall was also utilized in the running game from time to time, collecting 175 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
The Dolphins are actively searching for a third receiver behind Hill and Waddle. Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that the franchise had extended an offer to veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr., but nearly a week after doing so, there are still crickets on Beckham’s end.
Drafting a receiver isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but it’s unlikely that the Dolphins would do so during the first round with offensive line and defensive tackle as top priorities. With pick No. 55 in the second round, Miami could opt for Pearsall, a talented wideout who has already trained alongside quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s top two targets.