Dolphins fans get brutal update for 2026 NFL season

Back in March, it was learned that unnamed NFL executives had criticized first-year Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley for giving quarterback and free-agency signing Malik Willis "no chance" to succeed after Sullivan assembled a unit that is "not a starting NFL offense." 

It sounds like those executives aren't the only people down on the Dolphins during the NFL's summer break. 

Are the Dolphins responsible for the NFL's worst overall roster this summer?

For an article published on Monday, ESPN's Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder ranked the Dolphins roster as the worst in the league heading into the start of training-camp practices. 

"The Dolphins are in full rebuild mode and have several units that rank among the league's worst," Clay said. "That makes it hard to pick for this exercise, but we'll go secondary. On paper, this is a worse group than the one that allowed a 58.3 QBR last season (fifth worst). First-round rookie Chris Johnson figures to immediately become an every-down starter, with Storm Duck, slot Jason Marshall Jr., Darrell Baker Jr., JuJu Brents and Alex Austin battling for substantial roles. With Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ashtyn Davis gone, 2025 fifth-rounder Dante Trader Jr. and journeyman Lonnie Johnson Jr. are strong candidates to start." 

A June report suggested that Miami backup quarterback and 2025 seventh-round draft pick Quinn Ewers "outperformed" Willis during at least some springtime practices open to media members. That's quite concerning, as Willis is still an unproven commodity who has only started six total regular-season games as a pro since he entered the league as a 2022 third-round draft choice. 

Meanwhile, the Dolphins parted ways with big names such as former starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle during the offseason. As of early Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Dolphins second among the betting favorites at +350 odds to finish the upcoming campaign with the fewest wins in the league. At that time, the Arizona Cardinals topped the list at +250 odds.

One reason for hope regarding the Dolphins offense this season 

"The recently extended De'Von Achane is the star of Miami's offense, and it's not close," Clay said about the Dolphins running back. "The 2023 third-rounder has scored either 11 or 12 touchdowns in each of his three NFL seasons and gained a career-high 1,838 scrimmage yards in 2025. Achane's elite receiving production is nothing new (he has finished in the top five among backs in targets and receiving yards in each of the past two seasons), but he made another leap forward as a rusher in 2025, finishing fifth in rushing yards. His 5.62 yards per carry is best among qualified backs since he entered the league."

That's all well and good, but Achane may have to both stay healthy and play at a level worthy of competing for Offensive Player of the Year Award honors through October for the Dolphins not to become sellers ahead of the in-season trade deadline later this fall.