Dolphins agree to deals with receiver Will Fuller, center Matt Skura as free-agent frenzy continues

The Miami Dolphins have found their free agent wide receiver and a new deep threat for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

That’s unless they plan on reuniting this new player with his former teammate Deshaun Watson.

In any event, the Dolphins have agreed to a one-year deal with speedy receiver Will Fuller on Thursday, league sources confirmed to the Sun Sentinel. The Dolphins also signed new center Matt Skura to a one-year deal earlier in the day to shore up their offensive line.

Fuller is known as one of the fastest receivers in the NFL, and a player who could help the Dolphins down the field — an area where Tagovailoa struggled during his rookie season in the NFL.

Fuller joins Miami after five seasons with the Houston Texans where he played with Watson and started in 52 of 53 games with 209 catches, 3,110 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Fuller may averaged fewer than five catches per game, but when he does catch the football, it’s often during a long reception. The Dolphins needed a field-stretching receiver offensively this offseason, and Fuller helps fill that role.

Still, the Dolphins have an opportunity to take one of the best receivers in the 2021 NFL draft next month where they own the No. 3 pick among three others in the top 50.

LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, and Alabama duo Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are among the best pass catchers in the draft field, and could be available either with the third pick or in a trade down scenario if Miami explores that avenue.

Fuller was among one of the top receivers available this offseason and more in tune with Miami’s price range. NFL Network reports Fuller could earn at least $10 million on his deal.

The Dolphins saw plenty other talented receivers like Allen Robinson (Bears) and Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) franchise tagged, while others like Curtis Samuel (Washington), Corey Davis (Jets), Marvin Jones (Jaguars), John Brown (Raiders), Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor (Patriots) reached new deals.

Receivers Kenny Golladay and Juju Smith-Schuster remain unsigned, and now likely out of the mix for Miami after Fuller’s signing.

As for Skura, he’ll have an opportunity to start and compete on Miami’s young offensive line after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

Left tackle Austin Jackson, right tackle Robert Hunt and right guard Solomon Kindley will enter their second seasons with the team. Veteran left guard Ereck Flowers and versatile guard/tackle Jesse Davis also return to the mix.

The Dolphins also traded for former first-round offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, who could play right guard. Former 2019 third-round pick Michael Deiter is also still in the mix, and could backup either guard or center positions.

Despite Skura’s signing, the Dolphins could still address the center position in the 2021 NFL draft where Alabama’s Landon Dickerson, Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey and Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Quinn Meinerz are among the top centers available.

Skura joins Miami after starting in 51 of 54 games for the Ravens. He is also more than a year removed from a devastating knee injury, in which he tore the ACL, PCL and MCL in his left knee in November 2019.

Although Skura allowed just one sack in 2020, he was benched for several poor snaps in two games with the Ravens last season. As a result, he saw his playing time reduced in the final eight games.

Skura will have an opportunity for playing time with the Dolphins, since last season’s starting center Ted Karras returned to New England on a one-year deal.

The Dolphins did not intend to sign Karras again and explored other options like Patriots center David Andrews, while Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson was available before being traded by the Las Vegas Raiders to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Dolphins still have glaring needs at wide receiver, running back and edge rusher to address either in free agency or the 2021 NFL draft in late April.

So far in free agency, the Dolphins signed backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, added a goal-line threat at running back in veteran Malcolm Brown, tight end/fullback Cethan Carter, and signed speedy receiver Robert Foster, who was college teammates with Tagovailoa at Alabama.

On defense, the Dolphins acquired linebacker Benardrick McKinney in a trade form the Houston Texans; re-signed outside linebacker Vince Biegel; and signed defensive tackle Adam Butler, cornerback Justin Coleman and new punter Michael Palardy.