The Miami Dolphins haven't produced a top-10 scoring offense in more than two decades, and haven't had a top-five unit since Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino was in command during the mid-1990s. But those droughts may finally come to an end in 2022, considering that the organization just added one of the NFL's most talented receivers.
In a stunning blockbuster move, Miami has reportedly acquired star receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs, in exchange for a draft-pick package that includes a 2022 first-round pick (No. 29), a second-round pick (No. 50), a fourth-round pick, plus 2023 fourth- and sixth-round selections. But that's not all -- Hill is also receiving a four-year, $120 million extension from Miami, with $72.2 million guaranteed. He's now the NFL's highest-paid wideout.
"This is a massive coup for the Dolphins. They get Tyreek Hill infused into this offense," Maggie Gray said during Wednesday's edition of Maggie and Perloff. "They still have two first-round picks in 2023. If this doesn't work out with Tua, if he turns out to be the weak link, you still have all this other flexibility to help you upgrade at QB... The Dolphins have made this massive move in this AFC arms race, where they've now put themselves in the contender category."
"The only reason that I have a little seed of doubt is, the only teams involved in this were the Jets and Dolphins," Andrew Perloff said. "Thirty teams in the NFL didn't want to pay Tyreek Hill that money. There must be some financial reason why teams didn't want to invest in Tyreek Hill. And doesn't a little part of you worry, is he going to be the same player without Patrick Mahomes?"
Since joining the league in 2016, Hill has been an electric and elusive gadget player, capable of cooking defenders with devastating open-field speed and sharp cuts in between the numbers. In 2021, the 28-year-old had a franchise-record 111 receptions for 1,239 yards with nine touchdowns, and according to ESPN Stats & Info, he's racked up 26 touchdowns on passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield over the past five seasons.
Hill will be joining a Dolphins offense led by third-year starter Tua Tagovailoa, whose future was in flux midway through last season. Luckily, he'll have the luxury of throwing to either Hill or second-year star Jaylen Waddle, and both players posses elite speed. With shiny new toys at his disposal, there won't be any excuses for Tagovailoa. According to the William Hill Sportsbook, the Dolphins have the 10th-best odds to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 57.
Maggie and Perloff's complete thoughts on the Dolphins' acquisition of Hill can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Maggie and Perloff Show on Twitter @MaggieandPerl and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.