They felt it was necessary, but new Dolphins regime led by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley must have winced a little bit during Tua Tagovailoa’s release. Not a post-June 1 designation—a $99.2 million dead-cap grenade, the largest in NFL history, detonating across Miami’s books while Tagovailoa quietly packed up his stuff for Atlanta. Cutting the 2023 passing yards leader represented an entirely new direction for the franchise, leaving behind nothing but dust where their Super Bowl window used to stand.
And he’s not the only one to leave Hard Rock Stadium this offseason. Tyreek Hill has left, albeit without quite the monstrous cap hit that Tua leaves behind. Jaylen Waddle is also on the move, heading to the Denver Broncos as they look to build on their run to last season’s AFC Championship game. In the trade for the star receiver, the Dolphins received first-, third-, and fourth-round picks as they attempt to build things back up in South Beach.
While the QB carousel ate the headlines—Tua gone, Kyler Murray on the move as well—a more fascinating story is developing in the WR market. Three longtime game-changers remain unsigned, each one bringing a different element. But where would be the best fit for each of them? Let’s dive in.
Tyreek Hill → Kansas City Chiefs
Did any team have a more disappointing 2025 season than the Kansas City Chiefs? Patrick Mahomes and company headed into last fall riding the wave of three straight Super Bowl appearances, winning two of them. However, a stagnant offense saw them finish 6-11, comfortably missing the playoffs, with their superstar quarterback suffering an ACL tear late in the campaign—capping a stunning stretch.
Fast forward to now, Andy Reid is attempting to rebuild his roster. One look at the early 2026 NFL season betting odds tells you Vegas doesn’t expect a definite bounce back. The popular Lucky Rebel Sportsbook currently lists KC as a 12/1 fringe contender to leave Super Bowl LXI with yet another Lombardi next February, a far cry from the offseason odds they usually command.
They’ve already signed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to add some much-needed explosiveness on the ground. Could Tyreek Hill returning to where he started his career be the next move on offense? Of course, one issue—any off-field concerns aside—is we’re not sure if Hill is the same player coming off a serious injury and into his thirties.
His Week 4 injury against the Jets included multiple torn ligaments, ACL included. For a 31-year-old who has had a ton of success in the league with a value proposition that largely runs on speed, no one knows if he can get close to that level again.
So why do the Chiefs make sense? Partly due to the receiving room. There’s hope for second-year target Jalen Royals and veteran Tyquan Thornton—who showed flashes last season for KC—to step up alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. While we know Reid can be the architect for an offense with much less receiving talent than the Chiefs currently possess, one of the top three spots will be relatively unproven.
One sticking point might be that Hill burned some bridges after leaving the Chiefs. However, if both sides feel comfortable, Hill knows this offense. The timing concepts, the mesh points, the exact moment Mahomes feels pressure in the pocket and heaves it into a void that Hill knows how to fill down the field. A prove-it deal, incentive-laden for games played, could be a master stroke for both parties.
Chiefs Kingdom: conspiracy or coincidence? pic.twitter.com/b9Lnt4jpkD
— Lucky Rebel (@LuckyRebel__) February 8, 2026
Jauan Jennings → Los Angeles Chargers
Even as Brock Purdy was throwing to Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings was showing his immense toughness, value, and underrated ability. Over the past two years, he totally emerged for the 49ers, with a 77/975/6 line in 2024 before catching a career-high nine touchdowns in 2025.
Jennings is consistent and clutch, earning the nickname “Third and Jauan” for his ability to come through in key spots for a loaded offense that includes stars like Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. Without Deebo and Aiyuk last year, Jennings again showed his value as a pass-catcher.
The Chargers are a potential fit. It’s easy to envision both Jim Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel admiring Jennings’ toughness. McDaniel has a connection as an assistant coach early in Jennings’ career with the Niners. He can establish a similar role for Justin Herbert as the one Keenan Allend used to—and then returned to play again last season—while joining Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
Stefon Diggs → Baltimore Ravens
Don’t discount what he did in New England. Stefon Diggs—four-time Pro Bowler, one of the best route technicians of his generation—produced 85 catches and 1,013 yards for a Patriots team that wasn’t supposed to go far but ultimately all the way to the Super Bowl. Despite Diggs’ impact, the Patriots saved $16.8M by cutting him, eating $9.7M dead money. Nothing personal. Just business.
Baltimore, though, is personal.
Diggs grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He watched Ravens games as a kid. He’s bounced from Minnesota to Buffalo to Houston to New England and made a positive impact on the field in each spot; and now—at 32—Eric DeCosta has a legitimate shot at bringing a Maryland kid home to play opposite in a receiving group that’s relatively thin with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Devontez Walker as the top three.
The Ravens haven’t been shy about bringing in veteran receivers for Lamar Jackson. Odell Beckham quietly showed some glimpses of what made him so exciting in 2023, with 565 yards on just 35 receptions (16.1 yards per catch). DeAndre Hopkins didn’t get a ton of opportunities, but did average 15.0 yards per reception last year in Baltimore.
Diggs would be a little different, but a fit as perhaps the one whose game is aging best into his thirties. He gives you route precision that creates clean leverage windows on every snap, contested-catch ability that turns jump balls into first downs—and the Ravens are a spot where his sometimes brash personality could be a natural fit and not overwhelm a two-time MVP quarterback.
The 2026 NFL Draft is deep at wide receiver, so moves might have to wait. But Diggs to the Ravens is a logical fit.