Tyreek Hill led the Dolphins with two touchdown catches last week. Guess who was second on the list? Jaylen Waddle? Nope. Erik Ezunkama? Nada. Then surely, it was speedster Braxton Berrios. It was not…as it turns out, it was River Cracraft, the new secret weapon for the Miami Dolphins.
Secret Weapon River Cracraft is Loved by Dolphins Fans
River Cracraft has proven to be a valuable asset to the Miami Dolphins. While teams are concerned with defending against Hill and Waddle, and to an extent the speed of Berrios, it’s Cracraft that teams are forgetting about – for now.
Cracraft was an undrafted free agent in 2017 who played his college ball at Washington State. Cracraft spent his first three seasons with the Denver Broncos before spending the 2019-2020 season on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. Cracraft then spent the next season with the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers, his offensive coordinator was his current head coach, Mike McDaniel. After being waived by the 49ers in January of 2022, Cracraft followed McDaniel to Miami.
The River as a Dolphin
In his two seasons with Miami thus far, Cracraft has 14 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns. At 6′-0″ and 198 pounds, he does not seem to be the most imposing figure on the field. That is what makes River Cracraft an issue for other teams; they are too busy preparing for the other receivers in the Dolphins receiving corps, and they forget about the damage that Cracraft can do.
Tua in the 2 minute drill, Tua threw 4 perfect balls to River Cracraft, Smyth, Cracraft and Berrios. So it’s not just “throwing it up to the 2 fastest receivers”pic.twitter.com/jJTxVbQQtV
— x – John Ramos (@JohnRam60808162) September 21, 2023
Reminiscent of Another Former Dolphin
Dolphins fans cannot help but make comparisons to another former Dolphin that Cracraft likely draws comparisons to based on his size and a penchant for people to underestimate him. Coincidentally, that player that Cracraft likely draws comparisons to happens to be his current wide receivers coach.
Wes Welker was once upon a time, an underestimated undrafted free agent. After being signed by the then-San Diego Chargers, the 5′-9″, 195-pound Welker was signed by Miami where he was extremely productive. Before the 2007 season, Welker was traded to the New England Patriots for a second and a seventh-round pick. Welker would go on to be a favorite of quarterback Tom Brady in New England, where he evolved into a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection. Dolphins fans are hoping Welker can do the same for Cracraft, who is off to a good start already.
The Future of River Cracraft
River Cracraft is the x-factor for the Miami Dolphins. Fans love his grit and determination. Opposing teams seem to underestimate him, which makes him the Dolphins “secret weapon.” He poses a problem for defensive coordinators who are preoccupied with trying to figure out how to stop the other Dolphins receivers. Cracraft is a throwback to Wes Welker, who was once a Dolphin and is currently the Dolphins wide receivers coach.
If there is anyone who can continue to build upon Cracraft’s upward trajectory, it is Welker, who too was underestimated, largely based on being perceived as “undersized.” If Cracraft continues to play the way he has this season, fans will be going “cray, cray”, for the guy other teams seem to forget is capable of making a big play; River Cracraft.
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Main Photo: David Butler II – USA Today Sports
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