Clyde

Gates

Gates is just one year removed from being a fourth-round pick, but was spectacularly raw as a rookie, hauling in two catches for 19 yards. The Dolphins have one of the thinnest receiver corps in the league, however, so we’d be surprised if they gave up on Gates’ potential after one season. Put simply, he can run.

The 2011 fourth-rounder was a “major focal point” in the passing game at Tuesday’s minicamp. Entering this week’s draft, the Dolphins have one of the shallowest groups of receivers in the league. Gates will have increased opportunity if he can show significant improvement in his pre-snap reads and route running.

Gates said he “fought through” the injury, though it’s not known if he underwent surgery. Now healthy, Gates is expected to compete for the starting job opposite Brian Hartline. Though he was the fastest receiver in last year’s draft, Gates’ pre-snap reads and route running left a lot to be desired in 2011.

The raw speedster has had a minimal impact on offense, catching just one pass for eight yards so far. Dolphins OC Brian Daboll identified pre-snap reads as area for Gates to improve going forward.

New head coach Joe Philbin said that Gates needs to work on his route adjustments. It’s not a surprise considering Gates entered the league extremely raw after playing his college ball at Abilene Christian. He’s behind Legedu Naanee for the No. 3 receiver gig and could get pushed even further down the depth chart if free agent Chad Ochocinco signs on.

It’s a really bad sign for Gates’ future if he can’t stick in the league’s worst receiving corps. Despite 4.37 wheels, he struggled to pick up new coach Joe Philbin’s offense and was no longer needed on kickoff returns. The 2011 fourth-round pick figures to get another shot elsewhere thanks to his raw speed.

Ireland called Brian Hartline and Davone Bess “players with tremendous experience,” and said Legedu Naanee has “looked really good” in pre-training camp workouts. Ireland then talked up Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore before finally getting to Gates and calling him a guy who “still has to develop.” There has been speculation in Miami that Gates’ roster spot could be in danger.

From one of the league’s worst receiver corps to another. A fourth-round pick last season, Gates is a true burner, but proved to be extraordinarily raw as a rookie, making just two catches in 15 games. He’s not the answer for the Jets’ beleaguered receiver corps.

Gates will enter camp behind the likes of Chad Ochocinco, Legedu Naanee and Roberto Wallace. He’s struggled to pick up new coach Joe Philbin’s offense and could lose his kickoff returner job to rookie Lamar Miller. At this point, all Gates brings to the table is raw 4.37 speed.

Undrafted out of tiny Ouachita Baptist, Pruitt has spent much of the past two years on Miami’s practice squad. The speedy Pruitt has seen quite a bit of time behind Davone Bess in the slot, but his primary contribution has been on special teams.