The pleasant surprise of rookie wide receiver Chris Bell ramping up his work with the Miami Dolphins earlier today has not only brought some excitement to the fanbase, it will add a new dynamic to a thin wide receiver corps.

Bell is so different than every other receiver currently employed by the Dolphins that it’s easy seeing him worked in quickly, once complete confidence of his surgically-repaired knee is attained.

A QUICK LOOK AROUND THE ROOM

There is no disrespect implied here. The Dolphins wideouts are a group of newcomers and mercenaries and that isn’t in dispute.

Below is a brief description of what each brings, as we see it:

Tutu Atwell: Smallish, has had an underwhelming camp and not a forward-looking signee beyond 2026, assuming he makes the 53 (no guarantee).

Kevin Coleman: Rookie who will win with quickness, not speed or power. Haven’t seen enough to know his contribution level at this point.

Caleb Douglas: Has exceeded expectations early, no doubt. Despite length and speed, is not great after the catch and does not have great acceleration.

A.J. Henning: Player fighting for a roster spot who has performed well in training camp(s) and on returns but yet to make a squad.

Terrace Marshall: Former LSU product who seemingly has the intangibles but has yet to put it all together as a pro.

Donavan McCulley: Former quarterback who switched to receiver at Indiana/Michigan. Has excellent size and catch radius but will struggle mightily for separation. Does not possess pro speed.

Jalen Reagor: Former first rounder team has taken a flyer on but seen little tangible benefit so far.

Jalen Tolbert: Maybe the team’s top hope to start at one spot before camp, has done little to impress thus far.

Malik Washington: Dependable, reliable but limited by size and speed. Great team player who could lead the team in receptions this year, and may do it averaging less than 10 yards per pop.

Tahj Washington: Size and speed will always be a problem and the Dolphins have him outside, which does not seem like a match to his skills.

Theo Wease Jr.: Quinn Ewers favorite target seems to have been quiet so far this year, but could be considered a McCulley comp — big and pretty slow.

WHAT BELL BRINGS

Like other Dolphins receivers, Bell is not without flaws. He doesn’t run routes like Malik Washington. He doesn’t have the shake coming off the line like Douglas. And he obviously lacks experience that veterans on the squad possess.

But what he does bring are skills other Miami receivers clearly lack.

For all of his super-solid qualities, Malik Washington — Miami’s most polished and reliable receiver — is not going to wow you post-catch in most cases. He can break tackles and he finds gaps and seams. He’s crafty and surprisingly physical. But nobody would call him a game-breaker.

Fellow rookie Douglas, who ran a 4.39 at this year’s NFL combine, may have better long speed than Bell. It’s debatable because Bell was unable to test. But Douglas does not play the physical game with the ball in the air like Bell can and moreover, he doesn’t have near the acceleration Bell does.

Bell can simply do what no other player on the roster — save Devon Achane — has the ability to do, and that’s get chunk yardage after the catch.

By now, most have watched Bell’s highlights from last year and particularly those against the Miami Hurricanes. But look closer. He really wasn’t winning too much at the line and he wasn’t catching balls behind the defense. He was catching the ball and running through it.

Go to the 0:29 mark below. The entire Miami secondary — an OUTSTANDING one last year — is behind him and he catches an underneath ball and goes untouched to the end zone.

The size comparisons to A.J. Brown are understandable. It’s easy to spot. But just watch when Bell catches a ball and goes right by an entire defense. It may be a skill even Brown doesn’t possess.

A GOOD, YOUNG COMBINATION

Intentional or not, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan did a great job of bringing diversity to the receiver room in this last year’s draft. Douglas has shown the ability to get open in the early parts of camp and preseason. It’s not for certain that he will be a contested ball guy because frankly, he hasn’t show it yet despite Jeff Hafley‘s urgings, and it wasn’t on his college tape.

But Douglas’ skillset is a good amount of shake, good speed and great size at 6-3. Surprisingly, he doesn’t do all that great after the catch and his acceleration can be lacking, even when he is behind people on long balls. But even the skeptics (like me) have been impressed by what he’s been able to do so far, and that’s get open. Oh, and he’s a solid blocker.

Bell will also be tough and physical and give the team a presence as a blocker in the run game. He’s 220 pounds for crying out loud. But his ability to find a seam in the middle of a defense and take it to the house though is what will set him apart.

There is still a ways to go, both for Bell and Douglas, to be sure. But if things keep playing out positively as they have so far, Sullivan may have been spot on to wait until the third round this year to address wide receiver, a position of great need many had him turning to as early as round one.

So far, so good.