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.
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 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.
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 their rookie duo ― and rookie 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' Douglas, Bell have shared only 34 snaps in 2026 season