The Miami Dolphins potentially have a new starting quarterback in Malik Willis, an unproven raw talent who will need time, patience and opportunity to blossom.
But the former Green Bay Packers backup will also need weapons to be at his best, which is why the Dolphins offense needs an infusion of top end talent at every spot but tailback, which is one of the few positions on the team that don’t need reinforcements heading into the offseason program.
Despite adding Willis, three veteran receivers, two unproven tight ends, and two offensive linemen in free agency, the Dolphins still possess a substandard talent base when it comes to the unit responsible for scoring points. And until that changes this franchise will have an uphill battle to regain respect.
Here is a look at Miami’s offensive roster, discussing the potential roles of the newcomers added recently.
QUARTERBACKS
â–ª On the roster: Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers, Cam Miller
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins franchise has $45 million in guaranteed money invested into Willis becoming a solid, productive, dual-threat starting quarterback over the next two seasons. Willis’ limited playing experience the past two seasons made the 26-year-old one of the top free agent prospects at his position, and a weak draft class of quarterbacks encouraged Miami’s decision makers, which saw him up close and personal the past two years in Green Bay, to take a gamble on Willis’ upside. Ewers, who produced an 85.5 passer rating in his limited playing time as a rookie last year, will be given a chance to compete, but the deck is clearly stacked against the former Texas standout. Miami will likely add another quarterback via the draft to compete with Miller, another second-year quarterback Miami claimed late last season after benching Tua Tagovailoa, who has been released and recently signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
RUNNING BACKS
▪ On the roster: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II, Donovan Edwards
▪ Analysis: Achane earned his first Pro Bowl berth this season by producing 1,838 total yards and scoring 12 touchdowns on 238 carries, and 67 receptions. He’ll likely be seeking a contract extension that is in the neighborhood of the one James Cook signed with Buffalo last summer, which could pay him $51 million over five years, and guarantee him $30 million. The Dolphins will likely lean on having Achane play out the final year of his rookie deal for $5.7 million, and then threatening to use the franchise tag to retain him in 2027. This could force a standoff with Achane and his camp, which might carry over to the exhibition season with a hold-in. That’s why it’s important that Wright, Gordon, and whoever else serves as Achane’s backups, get themselves prepared to handle his workload all summer. But don’t be surprised if the Dolphins trade Achane to a team offering a top 50 selection.
RECEIVERS
â–ª On the roster: Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, Terrance Marshall Jr., Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr., A.J. Henning
▪ Analysis: Waddle, who was 90 yards away from producing his fourth 1,000 yard receiving season, needs to elevate his game to justify his $17.2 million salary this season, which is guaranteed. Atwell can stretch the field like Tyreek Hill did before he was waived earlier this spring, but Atwell’s far from polished. And the same can be said about Tolbert and Marshall, the two other free agents the Dolphins added this offseason. Tolbert caught 91 of the 152 passes thrown his way the past four years, and turned them into 1,093 yards and 10 touchdowns. This unit needs more size based on the comments new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made at the NFL combine, pointing out how small a receiver unit he inherited. Don’t be surprised if Miami drafts a receiver early, [think Arizona’s Jordyn Tyson] and maybe often in the 2026 NFL draft because this offense needs more playmakers than Washington, who has only proven he’s a good return specialist.
TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS
â–ª On the roster: Greg Dulcich, Ben Sims, Jaylen Conyers, Cole Turner, Zack Kuntz.
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins tight ends were one of the strongest units on the team in 2025. When healthy Darren Waller was a difference maker, and Dulcich blossomed late last season, contributing 26 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown in the 10 games he played for the Dolphins. Waller likely won’t return because of his advanced age, and struggles with injuries last season, and Julian Hill signing with the New England Patriots. Therefore, the door is open for Sims, Conyers, Turner and Kuntz to impress Miami’s new coaches with their in-line work, playmaking ability and special teams contribution. However, if Miami thinks Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is a game-changer they could be motivated to use the 11th pick on the dynamic athlete. Cutting Alec Ingold, who quickly got signed by the Los Angeles Chargers, puts Miami in the market for a fullback/H-back.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
â–ª On the roster: LT Patrick Paul, LG Jonah Savaiinaea, C Aaron Brewer, RG Jamaree Salyer, RT Austin Jackson. Backups: OT Kion Smith, C Andrew Meyer, OT Charlie Heck, OG Josh Priebe, OG Braeden Daniels, OT Carter Warren.
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins offensive line struggled early last season, especially after losing Jackson and James Daniels, who got released earlier this spring, to serious injuries in the season opener. However, the unit pulled it together in the second-half of the season and became the strength of Miami’s offense, paving the way for Achane to become one of the NFL’s top rushers. Paul is blossoming into one of the NFL’s elite left tackles, and if he repeats his 2025 season he’ll be able to command a $100-plus million contract moving forward. Brewer had his best season at center in 2025, and is seeking a raise from his $7 million salary in 2026. View Savaiinaea, who struggled as a rookie starter, and Salyer, who started 40 games for the Chargers the past four seasons, as placeholders because they’ve each established very little as starters in the NFL. But who knows what coaches can bring out of this entire unit. Miami would benefit from adding better backups because depth has consistently been an issue for this unit throughout the years.
