Nick Westbrook-Ikhine’s Time in Miami Appears to Be Running Out After Week 16 Snub
Week 16 didn’t just bring clarity to the AFC playoff picture-it also offered a telling glimpse into the Miami Dolphins’ future roster plans. And for wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, the writing may be on the wall.
Despite being under contract through 2026, Westbrook-Ikhine was a healthy scratch in a game where the Dolphins could’ve used all the help they could get on offense. That decision speaks volumes. While he was once viewed as a potential asset in Mike McDaniel’s high-powered system, he’s now looking more like a cap casualty in waiting.
A Signing That Never Quite Clicked
When the Dolphins brought Westbrook-Ikhine in, the expectations were clear: add depth, provide a reliable target, and maybe even stretch the field a bit. He wasn’t expected to be Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle, but he had a track record-19 touchdowns over five seasons in Tennessee, including nine just last year. He was productive, consistent, and looked like a solid fit for a team that thrives on speed and timing.
But the reality hasn’t matched the résumé.
In 14 games this season, Westbrook-Ikhine has logged just 11 catches on 20 targets for 89 yards. That’s it.
No touchdowns. No big moments.
No signs that he’s found any rhythm with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. His reception total ranks eighth on the team, and he’s been overtaken by tight end Greg Dulcich-who didn’t even join the Dolphins until midseason.
For context, Tyreek Hill hasn’t played since Week 4 and still ranks fourth in receptions. That’s how little of an impact Westbrook-Ikhine has had.
The Snap Count Tells the Story
Westbrook-Ikhine has been on the field for 47% of the Dolphins’ offensive snaps this season, but the production simply hasn’t followed. That’s not a great sign for a veteran receiver who was supposed to provide a steady presence in the rotation.
And when Hill went down earlier in the year, the opportunity was there-more targets, more routes, more chances to make a mark. Instead, Westbrook-Ikhine found himself running routes that rarely saw the ball come his way, or worse, watching from the sideline.
Now, after being inactive in Week 16 with no injury designation, his role-or lack thereof-has become impossible to ignore.
A Likely Offseason Split
The financials don’t do him any favors, either. Westbrook-Ikhine carries a $3.1 million cap hit in 2026.
If the Dolphins cut him, they save $1.59 million against the cap while absorbing $1.6 million in dead money. For a team projected to be $11 million over the cap heading into the offseason, every dollar matters.
And when a player isn’t producing, those numbers start to look like an easy decision.
It’s not that Westbrook-Ikhine lacks ability. He’s got solid hands, runs crisp routes, and showed in Tennessee that he can be a red-zone weapon. But for whatever reason-scheme fit, chemistry with the quarterback, or simply not carving out a defined role-things never clicked in Miami.
What’s Next?
If Week 16 was the beginning of the end for Westbrook-Ikhine in a Dolphins uniform, it’s a disappointing conclusion to a signing that once held promise. The Dolphins gave him a shot in an offense that’s built to make receivers shine. But in a system that demands speed, timing, and explosiveness, he’s been more of a passenger than a playmaker.
With two games left in the regular season, there’s still a chance he sees the field again. But unless something drastically changes, it looks like Westbrook-Ikhine’s chapter in Miami will close quietly-and sooner rather than later.
For the Dolphins, it’s another tough roster decision looming. For Westbrook-Ikhine, it might just be the fresh start he needs.