Roberto

Wallace

Davis is the biggest loss. He’ll be replaced by Nolan Carroll in what projects as a big downgrade in terms of talent and cover skills at outside corner. McDaniel is coming off an injury. Merling is shaping up as a draft bust.

It’s Wallace’s first-known workout since he was waived by the Dolphins. Wallace has ideal size at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, but has consistently struggled to create separation since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2010. The Bucs are likely just updating their emergency list.

Anyone who watched HBO’s Hard Knocks saw this one coming. The coaches referred to the former undrafted free agent as “ankle weights Wallace,” a reference to his lack of speed and separation ability.

Wallace ran with the first-team offense following Chad Johnson’s dismissal, but the coaches aren’t happy with him. “He doesn’t seem to be moving forward at the same rate that the other guys are,” receivers coach Ken O’Keefe said. “It doesn’t seem like his legs are underneath him, he’s not separating.” During a film session, the coaches refer to the former undrafted free agent as “Ankle Weights” Wallace. We’d pump the breaks on any deep-league sleeper talk.

Recently dubbed “ankle weights” by the coaching staff on HBO’s Hard Knocks, Wallace struggled to separate from Carolina’s cornerbacks. Although he’s allegedly put together a strong camp, “No. 1 receiver” Legedu Naanee has been invisible through two preseason contests. With the exception of Davone Bess in PPR formats, the Dolphins’ passing game is hands-off in fantasy leagues.

He had no catches, and the Miami Herald now suggests Wallace may not make the final 53 after playing behind Julius Pruitt and Marlon Moore, among others. The Dolphins’ staff was initially intrigued by Wallace’s physical tools, but he’s proven to be an underachiever. Feel free to drop Wallace in Dynasty leagues.

“Roberto is going to be a pretty good receiver in this league,” David Garrard said. “When he puts it all together, he can be a big talent.” Signed as undrafted free agent in 2010, Wallace has impressive size and speed, but has been mostly limited to special teams work so far. He has a chance to earn plenty of reps in the Dolphins underwhelming wide receiver unit.

Coming off a strong offseason, Wallace entered in the second quarter, catching a 21-yard pass from starter Matt Moore. All four of Wallace’s catches went for at least 13 yards. Limited to special teams last season, the 6-4, 225-pound wideout could carve out a role in Miami’s muddled receiver corps with a strong preseason.

Largely a special teamer his first two NFL seasons, Wallace is emerging as a serious sleeper for a starting job in Miami. For some background, Wallace went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2010 despite running a 4.48 at his Pro Day at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds. He only had 73 catches in his college career. Wallace has more talent than Legedu Naanee and is on the deep-league radar.

A previous report suggested Cunningham’s drops occurred in rookie camp before he improved measurably in OTAs. Behind Brian Hartline and Davone Bess, the Miami Herald believes Chad Ochocinco and Legedu Naanee are the favorites for the third and fourth roster spots, though neither can’t afford a letdown in camp. Roberto Wallace is the “most impressive” of the unproven entities vying for the fifth spot. Seventh-rounder Rishard Matthews will get a look on returns. Clyde Gates is “still thinking too much.”