National Football League

Kenny Stills is learning system, getting comfortable at Dolphins OTAs

Published May. 31, 2015 11:00 a.m. ET

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DAVIE, Fla. -- It's not often that a young, up-and-coming wide receiver changes hands in the NFL before his rookie contract expires, but such was the case for Miami Dolphins wideout Kenny Stills.

He had a breakout season with the New Orleans Saints in 2014, catching 63 passes for 931 yards and three touchdowns, but was dealt to Miami earlier this offseason in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick.

The move initially came as a shock to Stills, who is entering his third professional season, but any uneasiness he may have had with the transition has long since dissipated.

"It's been going great," Stills, 23, said after Miami's first day of organized team activities. "Just learning as much as I can every day and trying to make improvements on my season last year. I'm learning the system and getting comfortable with all of the guys."

The first day of OTAs can be much like the first day at a new school for a player embarking on their first season with a new team. There are new faces, new teachers, new books and a whole new curriculum to learn in a short period of time.

For Stills, though, it was just another day on the job.

"I think the biggest difference is just being in a new setting and having new teammates and seeing new faces," he said. "It's work, and I treat it that way. It's great and I love being here."

Stills wasn't the only new receiver to take the field at Doctors Hospital Training Facility on Tuesday afternoon as veteran Greg Jennings, rookie DeVante Parker and tight end Jordan Cameron rounded out a group of talented pass catchers.

"I'm excited about the guys that are here," Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said of the team's revamped receiving core. "I was excited about the acquiring of every single one of them that is here. They walk in the building every day with enthusiasm, they walk on the field with energy."

Jennings, 31, is entering his 10th NFL season and is viewed as a potential mentor for Stills and Parker.

Asked what he could learn from Jennings, a two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Stills paused before delivering an emphatic answer.

"Everything," he said. "From on the field to off the field to how to carry yourself as a man, just anything and everything you can learn from Greg. It's a blessing for him to be here. I love picking his brain every day."

While both Stills and Jennings were slightly overshadowed by Parker's outstanding play throughout the two-hour practice, the duo showed enough during their first team activities to leave a positive impression on their new signal caller.

"Kenny's is just a great athlete," Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. "He's smooth, gets in and out of his cuts extremely fast and he moves a lot faster than it looks like he's moving. It's been really fun to work with both of those guys."

Arguably the fastest players on Miami's roster, Stills has a chance to become Miami's No. 1 deep threat this season, replacing Mike Wallace, who was dealt to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason.

In the mean time, though, Stills is doing whatever it takes to appease his new coaches.

"Whatever they ask me to do, I'll do," he said with a smile.

You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.

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