Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was one of the breakout stars of the 2024 NFL season. Westbrook-Ikhine finished the season with career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns. The former Titan was signed by the Dolphins to a two-year, $6.5 million deal this offseason. Considering the production he had just one year ago, this deal feels like a steal for Miami to get their WR3.
Westbrook-Ikhine was WR54 on DraftKings last season with 138.7 FPTS. His 8.2 FPTS per game was a tie for 70th best among wideouts. Tennessee finished 29th in passing yards per game last season with 180.4. Despite that, Westbrook-Ikhine was able to produce 497 yards and nine touchdowns. His 15.5 yards per catch was tied for the 11th most in the league. He was one of the best red zone threats a season ago, as his nine touchdown grabs were a tie for the eighth most among wide receivers in the NFL.
He now joins a Dolphins offense that was able to move the ball through the air a season ago, finishing first in the league with 265.5 passing yards per game despite starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa only playing in 11 games. It didn’t result in a ton of team success, but joining an offense like that is always beneficial for fantasy value.
Despite sliding a spot down in the pecking order from WR2 to WR3 this season, Westbrook-Ikhine has the chance to improve on what he did in 2024. Even as the third option in this Dolphins offense, he can replace some of the volume that Jonnu Smith provided a year ago. The Dolphins did acquire Darren Waller to replace Smith, but how he will fare after a season off is to be determined. Westbrook-Ikhine could easily finish the season with the third most targets, receptions and yards for Miami behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. His x-factor is his presence in the red zone, and I think he will be a solid WR3/FLEX option in fantasy football this season.
