Projected Dolphins starter.
Willis is the projected Week 1 starter. Dual-threat, not Tua's timing game. Jackson is back and Proctor is a new body. Savaiinaea was the league's worst starter grade in 2025.
- ADP
- 12.07 (139)
- Target
- 13.01
- Move
- -6
- As of
- 2026-08-25
What changed
9 real changes. The rest held.
Pass blocking
Was Paul / Savaiinaea (worst starter grade 2025) / Jackson 6 games (toe)
Now LT Patrick Paul, LG Kadyn Proctor (1st round, started at G), C Aaron Brewer, RG Jonah Savaiinaea, RT Austin Jackson healthy after the toe.
Jackson is back and Proctor is a new body. Savaiinaea was the league's worst starter grade in 2025.
Quarterback
Was Tua Tagovailoa
Now Malik Willis (3-year, $67.5M from Green Bay)
Willis is the projected Week 1 starter. Dual-threat, not Tua's timing game.
Play caller
Was Mike McDaniel
Now Bobby Slowik calls; Jeff Hafley is HC
McDaniel is in Los Angeles. Slowik is a Shanahan-tree passer who will use Willis's legs.
Head coach
Was Mike McDaniel
Now Jeff Hafley (hired 2026, defensive background)
Defensive HC; offense is Slowik's.
Scheme & pace
Was McDaniel motion/YAC
Now Slowik zone, more QB run, projected balanced
Achane still a zone-run fit.
Run blocking
Was Jackson limited; Savaiinaea a liability
Now Jackson healthy; Proctor (6-7, 354) at LG; Brewer still the center
Achane's line upgrade is Jackson and Proctor's size. Savaiinaea is still the hole.
Pass catchers
Was Hill / Waddle world
Now Waddle traded to Denver. Hill is throwing to Willis.
QB change plus Waddle leaving is a real target-quality drop.
Backfield
Was De'Von Achane
Now Achane remains the lead back in a zone scheme under Slowik
Lead back still a fit. QB runs may steal some goal-line.
Team environment
Was McDaniel 35-33
Now Hafley year one, AFC East slog
Win total not a 2025-contender script.
Continuity
Tight end
Was 2025 TE room
Now Slowik TEs complementary
Not a 12-personnel shop.
Vacated volume
- Targets
- —
- Carries
- —
- Red zone
- —
- Air yards
- —
- Jaylen Waddle · WR1 volume · Targets to Denver
Waddle left and Tua's gone. That's the WR hit.
Competition added
No meaningful new competition sourced.
This player
- Projected role
- Projected Dolphins starter.
- Usage
- Achane still a zone-run fit.
- Injury
- No Week 1 absence reported as of August 20, 2026.
- Contract
- Not flagged as a 2026 hold-in.
- Camp
- Training camp underway as of August 2026. Week 1 is September.
Upside
Jackson is back and Proctor is a new body. Savaiinaea was the league's worst starter grade in 2025.
Downside
Willis is the projected Week 1 starter. Dual-threat, not Tua's timing game. QB change plus Waddle leaving is a real target-quality drop. McDaniel is in Los Angeles. Slowik is a Shanahan-tree passer who will use Willis's legs. Win total not a 2025-contender script.
Risks
- New head coach: Defensive HC; offense is Slowik's.low
Sources
No source URLs were returned with this brief.
Notes come from the 2026 coaching and roster board (team sites, NFL.com, ESPN, The Athletic). Hold is the default when ADP already has the news.