Fuller eager to ‘prove worth’
Will Fuller, a former firstround pick and a talented wide receiver, was like any other NFL player looking for a big pay day.
But the odds were stacked against him during free agency this offseason.
During his first four NFL seasons, Fuller missed 22 games due to injury. And last season he played in the first 11 games, nearly making it through an entire season before he was reprimanded with a five-game suspension for taking a performance-enhancing substance.
Fuller, who agreed on a one-year, $10.6 million deal with the Miami Dolphins, hopes to get to work quickly and become a playmaker for starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
“I’m super excited to be here in Miami,” Fuller said on Tuesday. “I wanted to take a one-year [contract] just to prove my worth in the league.
“I’ve had my fair share of injuries and I’ve been working really hard. I just want to prove to the NFL, to the Dolphins for taking a chance on me, that I’m a player that they would love to have long term.”
Fuller, one of the NFL’s best deep threats and was a favorite target for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, says he has already made contact with Tagovailoa since signing his new deal.
And Fuller hopes to quickly begin working out with Tagovailoa in South Florida once he finishes his offseason training program in Houston.
“I’m excited for a fresh start,” Fuller said. “Miami took a chance on me and I’m just excited to be here and excited to put my head down and work. And Tua, he’s an electric player. I watched him a lot in college. … I’m super excited to play with Tua and can’t wait to work with him.”
Fuller will join what has become a crowded receiver position with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have 12 receivers under contract and could very well add another dynamic pass-catching talent in next month’s NFL draft.
Miami owns the No. 3 and 18 picks in the first round, where Alabama’s DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts are among the best wideouts available.
Fuller will join returning Dolphins DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, Jakeem Grant, Lynn Bowden Jr., Mack Hollins, Malcolm Perry, Kirk Merritt, Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns.
Newcomers Robert Foster and former UTEP quarterback Kai Locksley, who will change positions, are also in the mix.
If the Dolphins add another passing target in the draft, Fuller would gladly welcome the competition.
“The more talent we’ve got, the easier it’ll be for all of us,” Fuller said. “Whatever they’re going to do in the draft, I have no idea. That’s above my head.
“I’m just here to do my job, but I would love another receiver in the room. Just keep bringing talent, and we’re going to keep making plays.”
Fuller said he and the Dolphins coaching staff discussed his PED suspension, which cost him the final five games last season with the Texans and will cause him to miss the Dolphins’ season opener.
At the time, last November, Fuller said the violation was a result of his taking prescribed medication not permitted under the policy.
Since Fuller’s suspension is without pay, the Dolphins creatively structured his contract so he’s under a base salary of $990,000 and received a $9.6 million signing bonus.
“I’ve talked to the coaching staff about that,” Fuller said of his conversation with the Dolphins. “That’s something personal between me and them that we talked about. I definitely had to shore some things up with them.”