Dolphins need Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell to turn potential into production

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Dolphins need Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell to turn potential into production

Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post

Wed, Oct 21, 2026 ·

3 min read

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MIAMI GARDENS ― Everyone remembers the circus-like, acrobatic, one-handed reception Miami Dolphins rookie receiver Caleb Douglas made in a preseason game against the Washington Commanders .

It's much easier to forget another play in that game, where Douglas should have completed a 33-yard sideline catch. Instead, Douglas had one foot out of bounds despite being wide open.

Rookie mistake.

Everyone remembers the 68-yard apparent touchdown from Malik Willis to Chris Bell against the Minnesota Vikings . But we must not forget it was nullified because Bell had stepped out of bounds before the catch.

1 /23

Meet Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins rookie and former Florida Gators WR

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Caleb Douglas #7 of the Miami Dolphins runs after a catch against Jeremy Chinn #11 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grading Caleb Douglas and the Miami Dolphins' rookies for NFL debuts

(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Caleb Douglas #7 of the Miami Dolphins runs against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 27-13. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)

Sep 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas (7) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. **Dolphins showed exactly why Jeff Hafley warned everyone about this season**

(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 14, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas (7) celebrates after making a catch during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
(Amber Searls, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Jul 30, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas (7) runs with the football during practice at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

May 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas (center) works during rookie minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) does a flip during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) is tackled by Utah Utes cornerback Smith Snowden (2) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Rob Gray-Imagn Images)

Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch against Utah Utes cornerback Blake Cotton (16) and linebacker Johnathan Hall (7) during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Rob Gray-Imagn Images)

Oct 25, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
(Michael C. Johnson, Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images)

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas makes a catch against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
(Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal, Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) catches a touchdown against Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Therrian Alexander III (1) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
(Michael C. Johnson, Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images)

Nov 1, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
(Scott Sewell, Scott Sewell-Imagn Images)

Nov 29, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch and runs for extra yards during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
(Ben Queen, Ben Queen-Imagn Images)

Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Caleb Douglas (4) against the Tennessee Volunteers prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
(Kim Klement Neitzel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

Florida Gators wide receiver Caleb Douglas (12) catches a pass from Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna (11) for a touchdown during the second half against the Eastern Washington Eagles at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, October 2, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

(Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Nov 25, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Caleb Douglas (12) goes up for a pass during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
(Melina Myers, USA TODAY Sports)

Florida wide receiver Caleb Douglas hauls in a pass from Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) during the 2023 NFL Pro Day was held at Condron Family Indoor Practice Facility in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 30, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

(Doug Engle, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA;Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) celebrates with wide receiver Caleb Douglas (4) as he runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
(Kim Klement Neitzel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

Rookie mistake.

Douglas, a third-round pick from Texas Tech, and Bell, a third-round pick from Louisville, have enormous potential. What the Dolphins need now is for them to make fewer rookie mistakes.

The good news is that Douglas and Bell seem on track to both be available targets in a Week 7 game at the New York Jets. They've been on the field together for only 34 snaps during Miami's 0-5 start.

"We've missed him," Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said of Caleb Douglas, who could not go the last three games due to an ankle injury.

Douglas actually leads the Dolphins with 56.5 reception yards per game in the two he played.

Miami Dolphins ' Caleb Douglas returns from ankle injury

Douglas has size (6-foot-4), catch radius, contested-catch and game-breaking ability the Dolphins have lacked in his absence.

Willis and the Dolphins are 31st in the NFL in passing offense.

Oct 11, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bengals safety Bryan Cook (6) tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell (18) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images

The Jets, Miami's next opponent at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, are 4th in the NFL in pass defense.

The Dolphins and Willis need Douglas on the field.

Bell is a strong, physical, yards-after-catch opportunist and an explosive game-changer.

But Bell has been slowly ramping up in his return from a season-ending ACL injury in college. And there has been evident rust.

Bell has only 5 catches on 16 total targets, including 0 catches on 5 targets the last two games.

Bell also has three penalties, including two false starts.

"Getting healthier, figuring out things, understanding the playbook, understanding where you're supposed to be and just recognizing his game and gaining more confidence," young Dolphins veteran receiver Malik Washington has said of Bell.

All of Miami's rookies, and there are many rookies, are testing the patience of the quarterback Willis, head coach Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

But following a bye, and with Bell and Douglas expected to be in the fold, it's time for Miami's offense to more often appear synchronized. And it's time for the Dolphins to more routinely threaten the deep part of the field.

Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell impressive Dolphins rookie duo

Douglas and Bell appear to have the talent to fulfill the expectations of the general manager who drafted them, Jon-Eric Sullivan .

But as they line up together again ― and remember, it's been a rare sight in 2026 ― the Dolphins need them to take the next step in their maturation.

The thrilling plays make highlights. But Miami will need its rookie duo ― and rookie receiver Kevin Coleman, Jr. could be a future factor, too ― to more consistently make the routine plays.

Willis and the coaches are relying on them to line up right, execute correctly and limit penalties.

Starting with Week 7, the Dolphins are relying on Douglas & Bell to make fewer rookie mistakes.

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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter . Help support our work by subscribing today

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins need Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell to turn potential into production

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