Miami Dolphins Pre-Training Camp Mailbag: What’s the difference for Malik Willis & more
We’re a week away from the first Miami Dolphins training camp practice of the 2026 season. What’s on the mind of the fanbase?
One week from today, the Miami Dolphins will have finished their first practice of 2026 training camp.
The dead period is over. We’re off and running. For the Miami Dolphins in particular, there is no shortage of speculation and questions lingering that we’ll need to find answers for in the weeks ahead. But what are the most pressing questions in the fanbase? Our latest Miami Dolphins fan mailbag explores what is on your minds.
Miami Dolphins Pre-Training Camp Mailbag: What’s different for Malik Willis?
I think the first thing to acknowledge for Malik Willis is that he’s four years older than he was when he first came to Tennessee. The maturation taking place behind the scenes has come from four years of meetings, practices, installs, etc. The last two years of that has come in Green Bay, which should put him far beyond where he was coming out of Liberty after running a college spread.
I think the Miami Dolphins can offer a better offensive line than what they had in Tennessee, too. In Willis’ rookie season, Aaron Brewer (then an underdeveloped guard) took more than 1,000 snaps on the line, but the next group included replacement-level players like Dennis Daley, Nicholas Petit-Frere, and Nate Davis. We don’t know what Dolphins’ offensive line is going to be. But I think it will end up notably better than that group.
Likelihood of a QB in 2027 for the Miami Dolphins?
I can’t answer this with confidence until we see what the play of the college quarterbacks looks like. If they end up landing the first-overall pick, I’d guess it’s very likely. But if they land, say…the fourth overall pick, I can guarantee you they’ll be in position to draft a blue-chip player in a loaded draft class. But I can’t guarantee it would be a quarterback.
I think there are more questions with many of the young college kids than we’d care to admit, so those guys need to play WELL to ensure a packed quarterback class.
Achane a Mike McDaniel merchant?
I get the spirit of the question. I think it’s fair to ask if the Miami Dolphins’ run game will have the same level of creativity as it did under Mike. Probably not!
But outside zone is outside zone. Crack toss is crack toss. You’re still reading and keying blocks. I have no concerns about how well Achane’s rushing vision translates scheme to scheme. I think the passing game influence will be where this is most felt. Achane got a lot of perimeter screen touches by design — can Miami find more ways to get him the ball on the run in the passing game?
Perhaps the receptions end up being the “merchant” production. I don’t think the rushing execution will.
Next extension opportunities for the Miami Dolphins?
I have three notable names, all of whom are facing major opportunities this season. These are all conversations for next winter, and two of the three couldn’t sign new deals now even if they wanted to. But potential building blocks I’d look at for next offseason:
- Left tackle Patrick Paul – extension-eligible in 2027
- Wide receiver Malik Washington – extension-eligible in 2027
- Tight end Greg Dulcich – signed one-year contract in March
I would include EDGE Chop Robinson in this conversation, but he ultimately does have a fifth-year option on his first-round rookie contract that the team can lean on before making a decision.
Ceiling of the Green Bay build?
The last 10 years or so in Green Bay have been a tale of two builds. Aaron Rodgers’ twilight required a coaching staff change to get the best out of the quarterback, and they went to two conference championship games and won 13 games in three straight seasons. You do ultimately need to be lucky to win a Super Bowl, even if you’re a great team.
The bottom fell out in 2022, and the Packers have spent the last three years as one of the youngest rosters in football — they’re maturing and rounding into form. 9-8 (as the hottest team in ball), 11-6 with a disappointing playoff appearance, then a 9-3-1 start that turned into a 9-7-1 record because of injuries to Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt, and others.
The first build was excellent. They were championship-caliber teams that ultimately didn’t close. The second build is yet to be written and is still among the youngest teams in football. I’d happily take that as the standard.
A true fullback on the roster?
I honestly have a tough time seeing it. Will Kacmarek is a mauler as a blocker and can play off the ball. Fellow rookie tight end Seydou Traore offered a ton of insert blocks between the tackles at Mississippi State. I think he’s a good bet for the practice squad — not necessarily for the 53-man.
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