Malik Willis

NFL player. Position: QB. Team: MIA.

Quick Facts

• Position: QB
• Team: MIA (Miami Dolphins)
• Bye week (2026): 6
• FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21): 120

2026 Outlook

Projected starting QB for the Miami Dolphins in 2026 after signing a three-year, $67.5M deal ($45M guaranteed). Late-round bet on rushing upside in a rebuilt offense under new OC Bobby Slowik. Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life (Freedman) flags him as a worthy upside dart — Willis revitalized his career as a Packers backup with 12.3 AY/A and 12-174-3 rushing across three starts in 2025. The Dolphins drafted five potential pass-catchers (WRs Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman; TEs Will Kacmarek, Seydou Traore) to give him weapons.

Sports Illustrated's August 2026 evaluation argues Willis can be fairly assessed as a franchise QB despite Miami's thin receiving corps (post-Jaylen Waddle trade). The article compares his situation to Drake Maye's 2024 Patriots (weak WR group but solid evaluation framework) and Josh Allen's 2018 Bills rookie year — both developed into elite QBs despite poor pass-catching support. Willis has advantages over those predecessors: De'Von Achane is a more explosive back than either had, and his offensive line is solid (All-Pro center, former first-rounders). The real evaluation comes from the "eyeball test," not stats, per GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and HC Jeff Hafley (per How Badly Do the Miami Dolphins Need to Upgrade the Skill Positions?).

Willis signed a 3-year, $67.5M deal ($45M guaranteed, essentially 2+1 with a team option) — reasonable value that lets Miami move on inexpensively if needed, and viewed as superior value to Aaron Rodgers' identical annual cost ($22-25M/year) with higher upside. External evaluators graded his signing as "B," praising his 78.7% completion rate and 6 TDs with zero interceptions across 11 Packers appearances (per Grading the biggest NFL quarterback free-agent signings of 2026). Comparatively, Willis' 134.6 passer rating and dual-threat rushing profile (6 rushing TDs, 261 rushing yards on 6+ YPC in limited Packers action) position him as the better long-term bet versus an aging Rodgers ranked 33rd in 2025 dropback success rate (per Rodgers contract vs Willis deal: value comparison). New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan intends to draft QBs annually, suggesting Willis is a bridge rather than a long-term solution. The offense is based on Kyle Shanahan's system, where Willis has prior familiarity from Green Bay; he averaged 9.2 yards per attempt there but played just 302 snaps in sheltered, run-heavy schemes. (per Actually, the Miami Dolphins' Offseason Moves Make More Sense Than You Think)

Fantasy sleeper with rare gap between ADP (QB21) and upside (top-12). Willis pairs bottom-of-board ADP with genuine top-12 upside driven by his legs: since 2014, 91% of QBs with 100+ rushing attempts finished as top-12 fantasy scorers. His scrambling ability averaged 8.9 yards per scramble as a Packer—second among projected 2026 starters only to Justin Herbert. Passing sample is small but strong: he ranks 1st among 79 qualifiers in EPA per play and completion percentage over expected. His Week 17 audition (18-of-21, 288 yards, 60 rushing yards, 2 TDs) suggests the ceiling everyone can picture. Stacking him with DE'Von Achane creates obvious upside at a price nobody else wants to pay. (per Fantasy football sleepers: 4 undervalued quarterbacks flying under the radar in 2026)

At May OTAs, Slowik praised Willis's arm talent and mobility, noting he "can spin the ball all over the field," but reinforced the offense's core philosophy remains run-first, 50-50 run-pass on first/second down. Slowik's approach prioritizes keeping the defense off-balance over pass-volume optimization, which may cap Willis's ceiling despite his rushing ability (per Dolphins OC Bobby Slowik: Malik Willis 'can spin the ball all over the field', Fantasy Football: Now that the coaching carousel has stopped spinning, here's how Matt Harmon views each new play-caller). Key note: Jaylen Waddle's trade to Denver removes Willis's primary returning receiver target, leaving him dependent on rookie pass-catcher development and De'Von Achane checkdowns.

Fantasy outlook: Willis projects as QB20+ due to weak receiving corps and run-heavy approach, but offers QB9-style upside if he grows into the system and rookies develop quickly. His rushing ability (averaging 44.8 yards per game in career starts) provides a fantasy floor, but ceiling limited by pass-volume constraints under Slowik (per Fantasy Football Impact: Broncos Trade for Jaylen Waddle).

ESPN roster context (Aug 21): Miami ranks last (32nd) in ESPN's overall roster rankings; Willis enters with just 155 NFL pass attempts while the Dolphins rebuild under Jeff Hafley with one of the league's shakiest supporting casts. (per 2026 NFL season: Ranking the best, worst positional groups - ESPN)

Run-first scheme with elite RB/OL creates rushing upside (Aug 21): Slowik's philosophy emphasizes forcing defenses into base defense via heavy personnel and run-first concepts. The Dolphins' athletic O-line (LT Patrick Paul, LG Kadyn Proctor, C Aaron Brewer) combined with elite RB De'Von Achane creates "cutback lanes galore" and potential triple-option-ish dynamics. Willis, as a run threat himself, benefits from this scheme by opening backside lanes while creating "fun moments" for fantasy on the ground. The projected passing volume may remain constrained, but the rushing ceiling—both for Willis and Achane—figures to be significant (per One reason for optimism for NFL's bottom dwellers: Youth movements, scheme changes, more).

At OTAs (May 19), Willis is focusing on scheme fundamentals and building chemistry with new teammates. Head coach Jeff Hafley (his former Packers defensive coordinator) is managing Willis's leadership expectations to let him focus on player development. Willis forms the league's fastest QB-RB duo with De'Von Achane, who was extended to stay in Miami. Connection to new WR targets (Jalen Tolbert, Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman) is developing but still in early stages. OC Bobby Slowik's emphasis on fundamentals and teaching (rather than complexity) matches Willis's learning style from Green Bay — Slowik has praised Willis's energy and coachability. Receiver corps is heavily rookie-based and learning the scheme together, so chemistry-building will be ongoing through training camp (per Main thing for new Dolphins QB Malik Willis at OTAs is just keeping things simple).

Jaylen Waddle's trade to Denver (May 22) removes Miami's top returning receiver target. Willis now relies on rookies (Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman) plus off-season pickup Jalen Tolbert to develop familiarity. Slowik is focused on building depth and versatility across the board rather than relying on one star. Willis acknowledges the challenge: "It's all reps" (per New Miami Dolphins QB calls trade of Jaylen Waddle 'unfortunate').

Sports Illustrated's March 2026 "Risers and Fallers" analysis positions Willis as a clear RISER: he signed a 3-year, $67.5M deal to move from "clear backup to clear starter," and the article notes "fantasy owners are salivating over his rushing upside, which should sustain him as a viable fantasy option even if he doesn't improve as much as a passer as the Dolphins are hoping" (per 2026 Fantasy Football Risers And Fallers: Malik Willis, Alvin Kamara And Four More - Sports Illustrated).

Fantasy projection (per April analysis): Willis is 23rd QB drafted in early NFFC; expected to lead NFL in rushing yards with ~3,000 passing yards and ~13 passing TDs. "Justin Fields (2022-23) with better accuracy but weaker weapons." High ceiling tied to receiving-corps development, floor limited by weak weapons and potential one-dimensionality when chasing scores. (per Miami Dolphins 2026 Fantasy Football Preview: Sleepers, Busts & Breakout Candidates)

July 30 training camp update: Early practice observation flags Willis' inconsistency in camp. On Practice 2, he completed 7 of 12 attempts with 2 INTs; one INT came on a perfectly thrown pass that receiver Tutu Atwell misplayed (bobbled into defender's hands), the other on a back-foot throw under pressure. Willis had another near-INT when Tyrel Dodson stepped in front of a receiver before dropping the ball. Despite the turnovers, context matters: rookie receivers are still learning routes and timing with a new QB. Overall passing game struggled with all QBs on this day due to six pre-snap penalties and offensive sloppiness under HC Jeff Hafley's system. (per Training Camp Practice 2 Observations)

FantasyPros consensus identifies Willis as a league-winning late-round bet at QB20 ADP with QB9 upside. His Packers film shows a 31-for-40, 490-yard line with 2 TD passes and 2 TD rushes across two starts where he attempt at least 15 passes; in a full-season workload, some analysts see him outproducing more heralded rookies like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. The challenge: translating abbreviated, game-managed snaps in Green Bay's run-heavy system to Miami's cleaner scheme with depleted receiving weapons. (per 15 Early Overvalued & Undervalued Players (2026 Fantasy Football))

Rushing quarterbacks like Willis who approach 100 rushing attempts almost always flirt with QB1 production. The biggest fantasy appeal is the rushing ceiling in superflex leagues or best ball formats, where Willis offers legitimate upside at modest draft cost. In standard redraft leagues, weekly volatility from Tennessee-like situations makes him tougher to rely on. (per 12 High-Upside Fantasy Football Draft Picks (2026))

Willis is viewed as a blueprint for young QB development. His path from reliable backup to earning a starting opportunity demonstrates the trajectory available to dual-threat QBs who prove themselves in limited opportunities—a pattern echoed in second-year players like Jalen Milroe who will look to Willis as an example of how to transition from backup to starter through consistent work and opportunity seizure. (per 2025 NFL Draft: 9 Top-100 Picks to Watch in Year 2 - PFF)

Willis's rushing floor is supported by empirical data: among 32 QB seasons with 500+ rushing yards (2016-2025), the minimum fantasy points per game is 17.27, and 19 of 30 qualifying seasons produced 20+ points per game. Willis averaged 44.8 rushing yards per game in six career starts. In Packers starts with 60%+ snap share, he ran for 44 and 60 yards (2 rushing TDs combined), and in 2024 Packers starts, produced 41 and 73 yards with 1 rushing TD. Passing metrics show efficiency: tied for 4th in EPA per play (2024 Packers, 50+ plays), 1st in EPA per play in 2025 Packers action. (per 3 Late-Round Fantasy Football Sleepers to Target (2026))

A key concern for Dolphins pass catchers: Willis's historical pass volume has been suppressed by run-heavy schemes in Tennessee and Green Bay. In his career starts, Willis played in systems where the team passed just 36-37% of the time, well below league average. Even with negative game script forcing Miami to pass more, the offensive philosophy prioritizes establishing the ground game, which may limit receiving options for developing rookie wideouts. With scrambles eating an additional 13.4% of dropbacks and sacks another 12%, often a quarter of Willis's dropbacks don't turn into pass attempts at all (per Fantasy Fallout: Malik Willis Signs with the Dolphins).

August 29 starter confirmation: Miami dealt QB Quinn Ewers to Jacksonville for draft capital, solidifying Willis as the uncontested starter. The move signals front-office confidence in Willis and removes any uncertainty around depth-chart competition (per Dolphins trade backup QB Quinn Ewers to Jaguars). This creates a devastating scenario for pass catchers: even if Willis becomes an efficient passer, the volume may never support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers.

SportsLine sleeper ranking (Aug 28, 2026): The SportsLine model that called Tetairoa McMillan's rookie breakout ranks Willis as a league-winning late-round QB sleeper. Model positions Willis above more heralded QB options like Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray, and Bo Nix in its 2026 projections, highlighting his rushing upside as a differentiator. With an ADP around QB21, Willis carries QB9 potential per the model's 10,000-simulation approach, particularly in formats where rushing QBs with 100+ attempts have historically finished as top-12 scorers 91% of the time (per Fantasy football rankings 2026: Top breakouts from model that nailed Tetairoa McMillan's huge season)).

The Dolphins landed the league's second-toughest schedule per strength-of-schedule metrics. Willis will face Patrick Mahomes (KC), Drake Maye (NE), Jared Goff (DET), Caleb Williams (CHI), and Josh Allen (BUF) at home. HC Hafley has managed expectations, emphasizing the need to build foundation and culture first before playoff expectations. (per Miami Dolphins drop 2026 schedule. See Malik Willis at Hard Rock Stadium).

July 14 breakout candidate projection: USA Today's fantasy breakout ranking elevates Willis as a high-upside late-round QB target. His 3-start Packers sample (612 passing yards, 3 TDs, 174 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs) extrapolates to 3,468 passing yards and 17 TDs with 986 rushing yards and 17 rushing scores over a full 17-game season—elite dual-threat production. While Willis may see efficiency decline in Miami's offense compared to Green Bay's run-heavy system, his rushing floor remains high and positions him as a QB streamer with potential to develop into a consistent weekly QB1 if he wins early-season games and gains confidence in Slowik's scheme (per Ranking top fantasy football breakout candidates for 2026).

At OTAs (May 12-13), the coaching staff is aligned on Willis's potential in the mobile QB wave. OC Bobby Slowik praised Willis's talent and arm ("can spin the ball all over the field"), but emphasized getting to know him personally—"he's fun to coach" and energetic. Passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo (formerly Eagles OC with Jalen Hurts) sees Willis fitting the league trend of mobile QBs succeeding, noting "when guys are playing like that, you don't want to take that away." Slowik is cautious about overusing the run game but sees read-option threat with De'Von Achane forcing defenses into "11 on 11" rather than play calling on 10. QB coach Bush Hamdan highlighted Willis's work ethic (first in, last out) and leadership—"he's got this natural knack of knowing exactly who he is and his ability to bring people together." (per Dynamic, Athletic QB Malik Willis Excites Dolphins Offensive Coaches)

At Phase 3 OTAs (May 22-23), Hafley made clear the coaching staff isn't asking Willis to be a vocal leader yet—they want him focused on learning Bobby Slowik's scheme, building chemistry with teammates, and becoming the best player he can be. This managed approach reduces some pressure on Willis early, though it also signals the team is being cautious about his development. Willis acknowledged leadership "needs to be earned" over time through on-field execution, not forced. Slowik described Willis as having an "infectious personality" and being "fun to coach," reinforcing a learning-first approach focused on fundamentals rather than scheme complexity. Willis even paid for his offensive line's expensive dinner, showing the personal touch he's bringing to team chemistry (per Dolphins want Malik Willis focused on offense, not leadership, for now).

At June minicamp, there's "zero question" Willis is the Week 1 starter over backup Quinn Ewers. While Ewers performed well and was familiar with the offense from his rookie season, the arm talent and athleticism gap between the two was clear. Willis significantly outperformed Ewers in zip, arm strength, and mobility assessments (per Ten Things We Learned During Dolphins Minicamp - Sports Illustrated).

The Willis/Achane pairing creates the conceptual centerpiece of Slowik's offense. Slowik's key framework: "the threat of it makes it 11 versus 11, as opposed to 11 on 10," meaning linebackers must account for Willis on the keep, not just the give. Off-schedule plays (scrambles, broken coverage) are where Willis's mobility shows most value—not designed QB runs, which remain rare in modern NFL offenses. Slowik emphasizes 50-50 run-pass balance and core tenets (keep defense off balance) regardless of QB talent. The offense's upside is tied to Willis's ability to survive pressure and force second reactions from the defense when plays break down. (per Bobby Slowik's statement make the Dolphins' new offense easy to picture and Dolphins OC Bobby Slowik: Malik Willis 'can spin the ball all over the field')

Willis's performance directly impacts the fantasy outlook of Miami's 2026 rookie receivers. His play in previous stops (strong in Green Bay, mixed in Tennessee) will determine whether early-career targets go to first-round picks Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell or elsewhere (per Two Dolphins rookies earning some respect from fantasy football expert - Yahoo Sports).

Chris Bell activation (August 17): With Bell activated off the NFI list ahead of preseason games vs. Giants and Falcons, Willis gains an additional receiving weapon for 2026. Bell's activation removes the four-game Reserve/NFI suspension risk that had loomed over the Dolphins' receiver room. Now Willis has two capable rookie receivers with complementary skill sets: Bell (body size, alpha traits) and Douglas (speed, vertical catch radius). This pairing—combined with Willis's rushing ability—creates a more complete offensive package than the limited preseason film suggested. The real test comes in preseason execution: whether Willis can build chemistry with both rookies and whether they can reduce drops and execute route concepts (per Breaking Down the Significance of the Big Chris Bell News).

From a career perspective, Willis's deal is strategically smart for Miami but comes with real personal risk: the Dolphins are explicitly building around a future QB (via annual draft strategy) while asking Willis to prove it with one of the NFL's weakest offensive rosters. Post-Waddle trade, top receiving options are Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and TuTu Atwell—a far cry from the elite weapons Willis faced in Green Bay. Offensive line concerns (24th in pass block win rate in 2025) add pressure on Willis to escape upfield rather than sit in pocket, which fits his skill set but increases injury risk. Contract structure ($67.5M, movable after year 2 with $7M dead cap) signals Miami won't hesitate to move on if Willis struggles, making 2026 a true prove-it season rather than a patient developmental arc. (per Malik Willis Is a Smart, Though Hopefully Short-Term, Signing for the Dolphins and Malik Willis Could Be Stuck With the Worst Roster in the NFL)

Despite signing Willis to a $67.5M deal, Orlovsky urged Miami to still consider drafting Ty Simpson as a developmental QB. Both have different skill sets—Willis more mobile and erratic under pressure, Simpson a pocket passer—that could mesh with new coach Jeff Hafley's scheme. If drafted, Simpson would serve as backup mentee behind Willis, learning Hafley's (Packers) system. This suggests even Dolphins brass expects Willis as a bridge solution rather than long-term starter, supporting the "draft QBs annually" philosophy of GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. (per Dolphins' Tua replacement plan not done yet as Miami urged to draft top QB despite Malik Willis trade)

QB competition with backup Quinn Ewers is minimal — Willis's $45M guarantee and coaching staff's commitment make him the clear Week 1 starter. Per Sports Illustrated's mailbag (May 31), the Dolphins are expecting Willis to succeed; it would take "dramatic circumstances" like Ewers lighting it up and Willis stinking up the joint for a change. (per Dolphins Sunday mailbag: What Could Lead to Ewers Starting?)

CBS Sports QB impact ranking (July 27): CBS Sports ranked Willis's Dolphins acquisition as #5 (lowest-ranked of the five) most impactful QB change in 2026. Analysts express skepticism about Willis's 2026 outlook, noting unclear expectations: not to win the Super Bowl, not to make the playoffs, not even to win games. Willis will operate behind what may be the league's worst receiving corps post-Waddle trade (Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, Greg Dulcich). He does have elite RB De'Von Achane to checkdown to, but overall the situation lacks weapons compared to his Green Bay comfort zone. Willis showed competence in limited Packers starts (18-21, 288 yards, 1 TD in one game; two wins in 2024 starts), but his ceiling is capped by weak supporting cast and underlying org questions (Dolphins explicitly plan to draft QBs annually, signaling Willis is a bridge). Fantasy projections: 3,096 passing yards, 25 TDs, 17 INTs. (per Ranking QB changes by expected impact: Can Kyler Murray get Vikings back to the playoffs?)

Fantasy sleeper profile (August 1): The Big Lead identifies Willis as a rare fantasy football sleeper pairing bottom-of-board ADP (QB21) with genuine top-12 upside. His rushing ability is the key: since 2014, 91% of QBs with 100+ rushing attempts finished as top-12 fantasy scorers. Willis averaged 8.9 yards per scramble as a Packer—second among projected 2026 starters only to Justin Herbert. His passing sample is small but strong: he ranks first among 79 qualifiers in EPA per play and first in completion percentage over expected. His Week 17 Packers audition (18-of-21 for 288 yards plus 60 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs) shows his ceiling. Stacking him with RB De'Von Achane creates obvious upside at a price nobody wants to pay. (per Fantasy football sleepers: 4 undervalued quarterbacks flying under the radar in 2026)

Preseason week 1 (Aug 15): Willis opened preseason strongly for Miami, leading a 14-play touchdown drive in the opening game. He completed 4-of-5 passes (80%) for 45 yards and added 9 rushing yards on 2 attempts. Coach Jeff Hafley praised his performance as "extremely composed and very accurate" with "awesome" huddle leadership. Achane noted the contrast with Tua, saying "it's different when you got a QB that's dual and can make plays." Willis showed comfort inside and outside the pocket with solid protection from the offensive line. (per Malik Willis draws positive reviews from Jeff Hafley, De'Von Achane)

Sports Illustrated ultimate sleepers (August 7): SI ranks Willis as a QB2 sleeper due to his rushing projection. Analysis notes his six-start career average of 45 rushing yards per game, which projects to 760+ yards over 17 games. Since 1972, QBs with 700+ rushing yards finish top-10 over 70% of the time and never worse than QB15. Weak receiving corps limits his passing upside, but rushing floor keeps him fantasy-viable as a late-round bargain (per Building The Ultimate 2026 Fantasy Football All-Sleepers Lineup).

Early receiver development focus: Willis is building immediate chemistry with TE Greg Dulcich, a fellow 2020 draft classmate who previously connected with Willis at the Senior Bowl. Dulcich finished 2025 strong with the Dolphins (26 catches, 335 yards in the final nine games) and has been re-signed as a breakout candidate. Their pre-existing rapport at the Senior Bowl—where Dulcich praised Willis's arm talent and football IQ—suggests quick on-field coordination heading into training camp (per Former walk-on Greg Dulcich could be top target for Malik Willis in Dolphins reclamation project).

Rushing ceiling in sleeper context (August 6, 2026): Late-round sleeper analysis highlights Willis's elite rushing potential despite Miami's weak pass-catching group. Expert observation: Willis has a non-zero chance to set the record for most QB rush attempts in a season (current record: Lamar Jackson, 176 in 2019). While the Dolphins' passing weapons are thin, Willis's scrambling ability and willingness to take off create a rushing floor that supports fantasy relevance in worst-case passing scenarios. His rushing production alone (44.8 yards/game in career starts, 4 rushing TDs) positions him as a late-round QB gem if he approaches 100+ rushing attempts. USA Today's sleeper article notes Miami might have the worst pass-catching group in the league, but the rushing upside creates ceiling potential for late-round value (per 12 fantasy football late-round sleepers to target in 2026 drafts).

July 15 sleeper profile: FantasyPros highlights Willis as an electric runner—in six career starts, he averaged 44.8 rushing yards per game with four rushing TDs. He showed considerable passing improvement over his Green Bay stint: 78.7% completion rate and 10.9 yards per pass attempt across 11 appearances/three starts, with six TD passes and zero interceptions. However, the Dolphins present a challenge: Willis will face one of the league's weakest pass-catcher groups, which may suppress passing efficiency gains he made in Green Bay. His rushing ability should keep him fantasy-viable even if passing numbers disappoint, providing a solid floor in late-round QB selections (per 20 Fantasy Football Sleepers Experts Love to Draft (2026) - FantasyPros).

Dynasty sleeper update (August 22): Reportedly having a strong training camp with real belief he's grown as a passer over the past two seasons under a respected QB-developing head coach. Brings real rushing production to the table, averaging 44.5 rushing yards per game and scoring four rushing touchdowns across six career starts (approximately 8.5 fantasy points per game from his legs alone). Young receiving corps around him raises questions, but several teammates are having strong camps. Dynasty analysts rank Willis well above broader public consensus, believing his current contract situation supports a real 2-3 year window as the team's starter. (per 10 Dynasty Fantasy Football Sleepers to Target (2026) - FantasyPros)

SportsLine 2026 model (August 28): The proven SportsLine model that predicted Tetairoa McMillan's rookie breakout has run 10,000 NFL season simulations and identified Willis as a key 2026 breakout. At ADP No. 151 overall, SportsLine's rankings slot him above Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray, Bo Nix, and others being drafted earlier. Model projects Willis as a sneaky late-round pick capable of strong QB2 performance with ceiling potential of much higher. His rushing ability (averaging 44.8 yards per game in career starts) provides the floor while late-game game script from a weak team creates upside for passing production. The model's confidence validates Willis as a late-round sleeper value heading into draft season. (per Fantasy football rankings 2026: Top breakouts from model that nailed Tetairoa McMillan's huge season).

Role / Depth Chart

Presumed Week 1 starter. The skill group around him is sparse — Tyreek Hill released, Jaylen Waddle traded to Denver — leaving De'Von Achane as the main returning weapon plus the rookie pass-catcher class.

Injury Status

Healthy.

Recent News

• 2026-08-28 — SportsLine model ranks Willis at QB20 with top-12 upside; ranked above established QBs at late ADP (Fantasy football rankings 2026: Top breakouts from model that nailed Tetairoa McMillan’s huge season)
• 2026-02-26 — Another Popular Veteran Could Land on Vikings’ Radar (Another Popular Veteran Could Land on Vikings’ Radar)
• 2026-04-15 — NFL QB mock draft 2026: Where Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier could land (NFL QB mock draft 2026: Where Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier could land)
• 2026-02-21 — Analyzing Dolphins' Top 5 Quarterback Trade Options (Analyzing Dolphins' Top 5 Quarterback Trade Options)
• 2026-08-17 — Milroe-mer's Odyssey: Seahawks Don't Need a Savior, Just More Options (Milroe-mer's Odyssey: Seahawks Don't Need a Savior, Just More Options)
• 2026-08-13 — Seahawks QB Jalen Milroe a second-year player to watch in preseason (Seahawks QB Jalen Milroe a second-year player to watch in preseason)
• 2026-03-04 — QB predictions for every NFL team: From Malik Willis sweepstakes to Flacco’s next stop... (QB predictions for every NFL team: From Malik Willis sweepstakes to Flacco’s next stop...)
• 2026-06-17 — 5 NFL teams that could make sense for Brendan Sorsby in the Supplemental Draft (5 NFL teams that could make sense for Brendan Sorsby in the Supplemental Draft)
• 2026-03-10 — The Chiefs may re-sign another Super Bowl champion from the Seahawks to replace... (The Chiefs may re-sign another Super Bowl champion from the Seahawks to replace...)
• 2026-08-20 — Players pulled from fight-filled Giants-Dolphins practice (Players pulled from fight-filled Giants-Dolphins practice)
• 2026-08-15 — Ex-Packers QB Malik Willis Turns Heads in Dolphins Preseason Debut (Ex-Packers QB Malik Willis Turns Heads in Dolphins Preseason Debut)

Brutal environment requires historic rushing efficiency (Aug 22): With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both gone, Miami's receiver situation will force Willis to rely heavily on his legs. Opposing defenses can now stack the box without fearing elite perimeter threats like Malik Washington or Jalen Tolbert. In a brutal offensive environment that struggles to move the chains and reach the red zone, Willis will need historic levels of rushing efficiency—averaging 50+ yards per game while vulturing goal-line scores from De'Von Achane—just to push for QB2 relevance. Without that rushing floor and TD upside, his weekly floor could collapse entirely. Treat as high-risk late-round SuperFlex dart with fragile floor and ceiling tied to scrambling ability. (per 2026 Player Outlooks: Miami Dolphins - Fantasy Football Today])

Open Questions

• How does Slowik adapt his Shanahan-tree route concepts to Willis's run-first skill set?
• Can Willis average 50+ rushing yards per game in a bottom-tier offense to maintain QB2 floor?

Sources

• Freedman's Favorites 10 players to target for 2026 fantasy football
• Dolphins reboot with Hafley HC, Slowik OC, Duggan DC for 2026 draft