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Preston Williams

Can undrafted wideout make a Year 2 leap?

Preston Williams was a savvy undrafted find by the Miami Dolphins. He went for 428 yards in just eight games for what seemed to be a tanking team, but his rookie year was cut short by a torn ACL in early November. Williams indicates he'll be ready for Week 1 (granted, players are usually optimistic).

At the start of the season, Williams will be 10 months removed from the injury, so not a given he'll be available. If so, he should be a starter, with a chance to build on one of the better rookie seasons from an undrafted wideout in the last decade.

The Colorado State product caught 14 touchdowns his final year in college, but was arrested on misdemeanor assault charges for a domestic incident -- police said he shoved his girlfriend, who was in the process of moving out. That incident led to his combine invite being taken away, and he went undrafted. Miami took a chance, and it's paid off so far.

Over the last decade, nine undrafted wideouts have finished with more yards in their rookie seasons. One of those guys, Allen Hurns, is also currently a Dolphin. Three of those players, including Hurns, built on that with very strong second seasons -- at least 888 receiving yards. Another one, Doug Baldwin, went on to have a solid career until injuries caught up to him.

UNDRAFTED WRS, 200-PLUS YARDS AS ROOKIES, 2010-
YearPlayerCollegeNoYdsTDNoYdsTD
2011Doug Baldwin, Sea.Stanford517884293663
2017Keelan Cole, Jac.Kentucky Wesleyan427483384911
2014Allen Hurns, Jac.Miami51677664103110
2014Taylor Gabriel, Clev.Abilene Christian366211282410
2016Robby Anderson, NYJTemple425872639417
2012Rod Streater, Oak.Temple395843608884
2018Robert Foster, Buff.Alabama2754133640
2013Marlon Brown, Balt.Georgia495247242550
2013Kenbrell Thompkins, N.E.Cincinnati324664212620
2019Preston Williams, Mia.Colorado State 324283???
2019Steven Sims, Wash.Kansas343105???
2010Danario Alexander, St.L.Missouri203061264312
2014Philly Brown, Car.Ohio State212963314474
2016Chester Rogers, Ind.Grambling State192730232841
2015Adam Humphries, T.B.Clemson272601556222
2014Albert Wilson, K.C.Georgia State162600354512
2018Keith Kirkwood, N.O.Temple132092000
2016Geronimo Allison, G.B.Illinois122022232530

Table shows Year 1 and Year 2 receiving numbers (left to right); 2019 rookies are in bold.

Williams will need to prove fully healthy, of course, and Miami had another talented wideout emerge last season in DeVante Parker. But a decent chance he can be a nice option in 2020.

--Andy Richardson

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