Few teams in the AFC have undergone as drastic a transformation over the last few months as the Miami Dolphins. With first-year head coach Jeff Hafley taking over for Mike McDaniel and quarterback Malik Willis getting the nod under center, Miami is stepping into an undeniable reboot year as they look to clear the slate and build a foundation for the future.
The Dolphins sputtered through a frustrating 2025 campaign, finishing 7-10 and fading out of the AFC playoff picture down the stretch. The offense relied on explosive splash plays—running back De’Von Achane proved to be a multi-purpose star, rushing for a team-best 1,350 yards while adding heavy contributions in the passing game. Injury bugs and inconsistent play plagued the operation; Miami averaged just 20.4 points per game while the defense surrendered more than 24 points per contest. The inability to protect the quarterback or string together quality performances against high-caliber opponents ultimately signaled the end of the previous era in South Florida.
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Miami parted ways with almost all of its high-profile core—releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (who headed to Atlanta), cutting wide receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Bradley Chubb, and trading wideout Jaylen Waddle to Denver and Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The coaching staff was completely overhauled, bringing in former Boston College head coach and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
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To fill out a stripped-down depth chart, Miami brought in quarterback Malik Willis, pass-catchers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, and edge rushers Josh Uche and Robert Beal Jr. On defense, they added secondary depth in Marco Wilson and Lonnie Johnson Jr., while adding versatile lineman Jamaree Salyer to the offensive trench group.
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Evaluating Miami’s 2026 roster makeup requires looking through the lens of a young, developing squad. The offense will heavily feature De’Von Achane, who serves as the unquestioned engine of the entire unit both on the ground and out of the backfield. However, if I can predict that, the NFL defensive coordinators will as well. I’m not sure any team will allow Achane to beat them. Instead, they will dare Willis to find a way to beat them.
Defensively, Jeff Hafley brings a tough, disciplined, physical scheme, but the unit is largely composed of rotational pieces and reclamation projects. Depth at edge rusher and cornerback will be tested immediately, especially when facing the division’s top-tier quarterbacks.
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The Dolphins are a good candidate to be the worst team in the NFL this season. Simply put, there just isn’t much upside on this roster. The team has a 3.5 win total, and plays in a division with the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. I suppose they still have a chance to beat the New York Jets. Aside from Achane, there really isn’t any key position player that I see being the primary starter or option on most other teams. I like the Dolphins to have the fewest wins in football at +350. I think they get under 3.5 wins this season as well.
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