Miami Dolphins: Preston Williams making most of opportunity

Preston Williams went undrafted in 2019 following a college career impacted by injuries and off-field issues, now he is making the most of chance in Miami.

Were it not for his off-field issues, wide receiver Preston Williams would likely have been selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he already looks to be taking advantage of the opportunity provided to him by the Miami Dolphins.

Multiple failed drug tests and a disinvite from the Combine for a domestic violence arrest hurt Williams’ stock, as did his poor athletic testing, but that may be to the benefit of the Dolphins, who signed him as a free agent.

Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reported Williams is turning heads at OTAs for the Dolphins, claiming the former Colorado State star has been “tearing up” practices.

Possessing deep speed and playmaking ability that helped him rack up 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2018, Williams has a clear opportunity to contend for snaps on a Miami team in transition.

DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills represent the Dolphins’ top options at outside receiver. They are not players the franchise is committed to long term as it looks to successfully rebuild the roster.

Providing he maintains these performances, the obstacles to Williams making the 53-man roster are few. The Dolphins’ depth chart at receiver is a picture of mediocrity, their leading receiver in 2018 was Danny Amendola, who is now with the Detroit Lions, with just 575 yards. And, though Stills’ speed makes him a viable deep threat, they do not have a receiver who has proven himself to be a reliable downfield threat on the boundary.

Williams therefore has a clear chance to establish himself as a go-to target for whomever becomes Miami’s franchise quarterback and, with the Dolphins now having Josh Rosen on the roster and their rebuilding strategy potentially putting them in the mix for Tua Tagovialoa or Trevor Lawrence down the line, there is a decent chance he will be catching passes from a signal-caller considered a top prospect.

His road to the NFL was not a straightforward one but Williams is now on the right track to proving he can be an impact player at the highest level.