Kelly: Welker Can Turn Berrios Into an Elite Slot Receiver for Dolphins

The pairing of the newly signed WR with the WR coach who excelled in the slot could pay big dividends

It was meant to be a sign of respect, a throwback to the days when young people showed esteem for their elders.

Braxton Berrios was singing the praises of his new position coach, a player who the 27-year-old grew up idolizing, studying, and modeling his game after, and refused to refer to him by his first name.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be in the same room as Coach Welker now. I don’t think I’ve earned the right to call him ‘Wes’ yet,” said Berrios, who earlier this month signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins that could be worth $3.5 million if he plays in every game this upcoming season.

“Just being able to pick his brain and to see, hearing what he sees, and kind of the same thing (with) Tua (Tagovailoa).

“Just learning how they see their offense being ran,” Berrios continued, referring to picking up the intricacies of Coach Mike McDaniel’s offense. “Obviously they’ve been in it now for a year and so they’ll help me get up to speed on it (with) the details and the intricacies because that’s what this league is. It’s a very detail-oriented league and if you’re not on those details, mistakes happen.”

Berrios' understanding of Miami’s offense system, and his ability to mesh well with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — Miami’s two front-line receivers, who combined for 3,066 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 194 receptions — likely will determine what his role is moving forward.

And in the NFL, considering he hasn’t established himself as anything more than a reliable punt returner.

This is Berrios’ chance to carve out a Welker-like career. 

And who better to teach him the way?

WELKER A GREAT MENTOR FOR BERRIOS

Trent Sherfield and Mike Gesicki were the third- and fourth-most targeted players in Miami’s offense last season, pulling in 50 targets a piece.

With Gesicki, a pass-catching tight end who often filled a slot receiver role, signing an incentive-laden deal with the New England Patriots, and Sherfield joining the Buffalo Bills as a free agent, the door is wide open for Berrios to become a key cog in McDaniel's offense.

He likely will compete with receivers Cedrick Wilson Jr., Erik Ezukanma, River Cracraft, and tight end Tanner Conner for the 100-plus targets that departed with Sherfield and Gesicki signing with division rivals.

All four of those players have a built-in advantage because they’ve got a year’s worth of experience in this offense, so Berrios will need to become a fast learner.

Wilson and Ezukanma possess a size edge over the 5-foot-9 receiver, which could be beneficial to the Dolphins in the red zone and on jump-ball plays. Their presence on the field could help balance out Miami’s offense.

But Berrios has the potential to provide what Miami was missing last season, a receiver savvy enough to drop into open zones downfield and make plays after the catch.

BERRIOS' RESUME BEFORE JOINING THE DOLPHINS

During his four-year NFL career, Berrios has pulled in 107 receptions, which he’s turned into 1,085 yards and nine touchdowns.

Interestingly enough, more than half of those receiving yards (637) were produced after the catch. That’s critical to Miami’s success because Hill and Waddle draw a ton of attention from opposing defenses, which means there will be vacant zones worth exploiting.

“Maybe, you know, if they take the top off, I’ll work across the middle or I’ll work outside,” Berrios said. “I’ll really do whatever it takes to win.”

Even though he doesn’t want to limit himself to being a slot receiver, the inside spot is where Berrios has excelled since his collegiate days at the University of Miami, where he was a four-year starter.

He’s adept at finding open zones in coverages, just like Welker was during his 12-year career, which started with the Dolphins before he became a household name as a standout slot for the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos.

“Coach Welker is one of the best to ever do it,” Berrios said of Welker, who finished his NFL career with 903 receptions and scored 50 touchdowns. “Just be able to pick his brain every single day….”

Berrios never finished that statement, but it’s safe to conclude he’s hopeful that Welker will help him become one of this generation’s elite slot weapons.

Maybe then he'll feel comfortable referring to him by his first name.