All articles tagged with #malik willis
The 0-3 Miami Dolphins face the 3-0 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Dolphins aim to capitalize on the absence of star receiver Justin Jefferson and leverage their improving defensive front, while the Vikings rely on their league-leading defense to maintain their undefeated start.
The Miami Dolphins are 0-3 with the NFL’s highest strength of schedule (1.000), having faced four undefeated teams. While the record is poor, analysts note the team is improving weekly despite losing star running back De'Von Achane to an ACL tear. The schedule is historically rare, matching only the 1986 Eagles, and the Dolphins are expected to continue struggling as they rebuild.
The Dolphins’ 27-13 season-opening loss to the Raiders exposed significant issues: a vulnerable offensive line and tepid pass rush, a defensive unit lacking clear long-term building blocks, and a quarterback in Malik Willis who showed flashes but didn’t prove he’s the franchise guy. Penalties, special-teams miscues, and stalled five-half drives amplified the problems, underscoring a draft-and-develop approach and raising questions whether Willis is the chosen path or if Miami will need to target a quarterback in 2027 while building the roster through multiple drafts.
The Dolphins’ revamped offense must hit four key breakpoints against the Raiders: Kadyn Proctor must anchor the left side, Greg Dulcich should be a major receiving option and draw coverage, Caleb Douglas needs to stretch the defense with clean route-running, and Malik Willis must stay patient and take what the defense gives him to control the tempo and put points on the board.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay highlights five players—Malik Willis, Bhayshul Tuten, Christian Watson, Tyler Warren, and Wil Lutz—as potential 2026 fantasy league-winners, emphasizing late-round value, smart mid-round targets, and proactive waiver-wire moves to build a championship squad.
Miami Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year coach Jeff Hafley lead a sweeping 53-man roster overhaul that prioritizes physicality, the run game and trench play, marking a sharp break from 2025. Only about six players from last year remain influential, with De’Von Achane, Jordyn Brooks and Aaron Brewer serving as the pillars, Malik Willis atop the quarterback depth, and a new leadership setup including Daniel Sillman driving a draft‑and‑develop approach under owner Steve Ross’s bold strategy. The rebuild aims for long-term competitiveness despite the risks of inexperience at the top, and signals a sustained shift away from the previous regime.”,
The Miami Dolphins are cutting down to a 53-man roster by Sunday, releasing a wave of players including QB Mark Gronowski (to the practice squad), Cam Miller, DT Matthew Butler, CB Marco Wilson, S Lonnie Johnson, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., WR Jalen Reagor, LB Tyrel Dodson and others. Malik Willis remains the lone QB on the active roster, with a new backup QB expected to be added in the next day or two. The team has already traded Quinn Ewers to Jacksonville and, in separate moves, acquired RB Jarquez Hunter for Tutu Atwell. As cuts continue, Miami is weighing several potential No. 2 QB targets (Dillon Gabriel, Taylen Green, JJ McCarthy, Will Levis, Hendon Hooker, Andy Dalton, Jake Browning) while preparing for more roster updates over the weekend.
In the Dolphins’ preseason opener, Caleb Douglas flashed with a one-handed grab after an earlier out-of-bounds miscue, Malik Willis showed mobility and productive bootleg plays, the starting offensive line looked strong while the depth behind them struggled, and rookie Chris Johnson began to carve out a role as the top nickel defender.
In the Dolphins’ preseason opener, Malik Willis led a 14-play touchdown drive, going 4-of-5 for 45 yards and adding 9 rushing yards on two attempts. Coach Jeff Hafley called him extremely composed and accurate with strong leadership, highlighting the O-line and the run game with De’Von Achane; Achane added that Willis’s dual-threat ability makes him a dynamic addition as Miami builds its post-Tua foundation.
Malik Willis showed command in his first Dolphins action, directing a 93-yard opening drive and finishing 4-for-5 for 43 yards as the Dolphins fell 20-7 to the Washington Commanders in a preseason debut. Rookie Caleb Douglas hauled in a spectacular 28-yard one-handed catch on the first third-down, underscoring early chemistry. The starting offensive line blocked well, enabling De’Von Achane to gain 36 yards and score, and the linebacker corps looked like the strongest unit. But depth behind the starters struggled: backups threw multiple interceptions, the offense stalled, and the defense allowed 20 unanswered points, highlighting depth concerns if injuries mount.
In Ashburn, the Washington Commanders controlled the day in a joint practice with the Dolphins, exploiting a depleted Miami secondary as Jayden Daniels dissected Miami’s defense in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Miami’s offense struggled with pass protection and consistency, Willis showing mobility but also taking a late pick-six, while several Dolphins regulars (Sieler, Trader Jr., Brents, Johnson) were sidelined. Caleb Douglas emerged for Miami with a stock-up performance, but the offensive line and secondary were the day’s stock-downs as the teams mixed in a heavy physical pace.
At Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins wrapped up the third block of training camp with live tackling and red-zone work. Malik Willis went 7-for-13 with a rushing TD but couldn’t finish strong, while Tahj Washington stood out with a pair of big plays including a ~50-yard catch. Ethan Robinson had the day’s lone interception and Riley Patterson went 5-for-5 on field goals, including a 51-yard make. Several players were absent, and the day highlighted solid OL play amid some pass-rush frustration.
In Dolphins' eighth padded practice, the defense forced four interceptions (Miles Battle with two, Louis Moore and Jackson Woodard with one each) as the offense struggled with ball security. Malik Willis delivered his best showing of the week, connecting on a long pass to Caleb Douglas and a TD to Will Kacmarek. Austin Jackson returned to practice; Jeremiah Franklin made his debut at tight end, while several veterans were sidelined.
NFL training camps spotlight four QB battles for Week 1 of 2026: Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota (Murray favored to win), Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix Jr. (Penix hobbled by ACL rehab while Tagovailoa deals with a minor back issue, keeping Tagovailoa ahead), Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland (Sanders gaining traction but Watson’s longer track record keeps him in the mix), and Kirk Cousins vs. Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas (Cousins as the starter with Mendoza on a patient development path). The piece also flags veterans like Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, Geno Smith, and Malik Willis as players who must prove their worth to secure future roles. Predictions: Murray, Tagovailoa, Watson, and Cousins win Week 1 starts, with Mendoza waiting in the wings.
At Dolphins training camp, Malik Willis rebounded from a rough day with a TD pass in red-zone drills and the first designed rushing score of camp, while rookie Caleb Douglas stood out with a one‑handed 5-yard TD catch in red-zone work. Willis also had a late interception on a tipped pass, and backup QB Quinn Ewers showed indecision under pressure as the team continues to evaluate Willis’ development in the offense ahead of a day off.