{"id":379549,"date":"2026-08-24T08:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T08:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/379549\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T08:06:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T08:06:16","slug":"dolphins-have-more-questions-than-answers-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/379549\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolphins have more questions than answers in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s have an honest conversation about this Miami Dolphins roster, the new regime, the rebuilding process, and what\u2019s ahead for South Florida\u2019s NFL franchise in 2026.<\/p>\n

Is Malik Willis a franchise quarterback?<\/p>\n

Too early to tell. A franchise has never invested in Willis, who is beginning his fifth NFL season, as its starting quarterback until now, and there\u2019s no telling where that will lead us. Especially with limited talent surrounding him. But Willis has the arm strength, athleticism and personality to succeed. We just need to see how he handles adversity and adjusts to defenses taking away his favorite things once they get a book on him. The $45 million Miami guaranteed Willis hints that he has this season, and maybe next season to prove he can lead a franchise to the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Can GM Jon-Eric Sullivan evaluate and acquire talent?<\/p>\n

The Miami Dolphins\u2019 new general manager has been working this offseason with one hand tied behind his back because of the $179 million in dead cap the Dolphins chose to carry this season in an effort to pay off debt from the organization\u2019s previous bad deals and decisions. However, that doesn\u2019t excuse him from whiffing on all but one free agent (Josh Uche) the team added this offseason. Miami\u2019s talent base is disappointing, and that will become problematic when injuries set in. That\u2019s why Sullivan needs to be aggressive making waiver-wire claims and practice squad-poaching this season.<\/p>\n

Does Jeff Hafley have good coordinators?<\/p>\n

Chris Tabor is a grizzled, savvy coach with 15 years of experience as an NFL special teams coordinator. However, he will need a few solid core special teams contributors to create a respectable unit. Bobby Slowik had success early in his stint as Houston\u2019s offensive coordinator, helping C.J. Stroud become the NFL\u2019s 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. But their second season together led to Slowik\u2019s dismissal. Miami provides Slowik a second chance to show he can become an NFL playcaller, and possibly a future head coach. Hafley will call Miami\u2019s defense, but Sean Duggan, a protege, a former player who has been with him since his Boston College days, will serve as his right-hand man in his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator.<\/p>\n

Is Chop Robinson ready to be a defensive focal point?<\/p>\n

Robinson has had one of the better training camps, consistently being a force as a pass rusher. The 2024 first-round pick has gotten bigger and stronger this offseason, but we still don\u2019t know if that means he will become stout against the run, which was the reason he was used primarily as a pass-rushing specialist in his first two seasons. It doesn\u2019t help that Miami possesses few, if any, options at defensive end behind him who can stop the run. If Robinson struggles, or gets injured, Miami\u2019s defense is going to struggle all season.<\/p>\n

Is Dante Trader Jr. ready to lead Miami\u2019s secondary?<\/p>\n

Trader, a 2025 fifth-round pick, has the intellect, athleticism and skill set needed to be successful in the NFL. What he needs is time and reps. Problem is, his second straight training camp injury has kept him from getting the work, and Miami\u2019s coaches haven\u2019t had the opportunity to properly evaluate him. It doesn\u2019t help that Zayne Anderson, a career journeyman, and Michael Taaffe, a former Texas standout the Dolphins selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, have athletic limitations that will likely limit Miami\u2019s playcalling.<\/p>\n

Can rookie receivers carry the Dolphins\u2019 passing game?<\/p>\n

Caleb Douglas, Miami\u2019s first of three 2026 third-round picks, announced his presence early in camp, becoming one of the offense\u2019s focal points in practice\u2019s first three weeks. But he has had a quiet fourth week for unknown reasons. Kevin Coleman Jr., the slot receiver Miami drafted in the fifth round, has hinted he\u2019s ready for a contributing role through his contributions. But he will need to stay healthy to make an impact. And Chris Bell, a former Louisville standout the Dolphins selected in the third round, is working his way back from a left knee injury he sustained last November, and might need time to get up to speed. All three, along with tight end Greg Dulcich and Malik Washington, make up Willis\u2019 primary weapons in the passing game.<\/p>\n

Does Miami\u2019s O-line have depth to weather injuries?<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s five starters on the offensive line are solid, and have the potential to become a forceful run blocking unit, especially the left side of Patrick Paul and 2026 first-round pick Kadyn Proctor. The biggest concern comes from the right side, where Jonah Savaiinaea is beginning his second season as an NFL starter, and Austin Jackson is positioned to begin his sixth season as a starter for the Dolphins. Problem is, what happens if one of those starters gets hurt? Miami\u2019s depth on the offensive line is so troublesome the organization traded for an offensive lineman (Caeden Wallace) the New England Patriots were cutting before the preseason began. There hasn\u2019t been a single season the past two decades where the Dolphins haven\u2019t had to start the team\u2019s seventh offensive lineman for a handful of games. That means Miami needs to find two more respectable offensive linemen somehow.<\/p>\n

Does Miami have three cornerbacks worthy of starting roles?<\/p>\n

Chris Johnson, the Dolphins\u2019 2026 first-round pick, is cutting his teeth as a rookie. Jason Marshall Jr. has been steady, but unspectacular as a starter in his second seasons. And JuJu Brents hasn\u2019t been healthy enough to participate in more than a week of practices, which is the story line of his injury-plagued NFL career. The rest of Miami\u2019s cornerback unit is filled with fringe NFL players who have either struggled or failed in their limited opportunities. If Miami doesn\u2019t get adequate pass rushing from the defensive front this could be a long season for Miami\u2019s secondary unless reinforcements are added.<\/p>\n

Can the Dolphins\u2019 defensive front stop the run?<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s 2025 defense struggled in the first half of the season because of the growing pains Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips were having as rookie starters. The hope is that those two have grown from those struggles. Zeek Biggers has had a solid camp as a five-technique defensive end, and has the potential to pair well with Zach Sieler, who needs someone athletic and savvy enough to execute twists and stunts with. If this unit isn\u2019t capable of holding the line and setting the edge it will apply an insurmountable pressure to Miami\u2019s linebackers and secondary.<\/p>\n

How many rookies will be season-opening starters?<\/p>\n

Unless injuries become a factor, offensive guard Proctor, cornerback Johnson, receiver Douglas, and strong-side linebacker Trey Moore, who suffered a troublesome left ankle injury in Saturday\u2019s 26-3 loss to the New York Giants, will be in the starting lineup for the Sept 14 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. And it\u2019s possible that linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and Kyle Louis, safety Taaffe, fullback D.J. Herman, receivers Bell and Coleman and tight end Will Kacmarek will also fill prominent roles as the season progresses.<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
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