The Miami Dolphins enter the 2026 season with a dramatically different identity on offense. Gone are many of the familiar faces that defined the previous era, replaced by a younger, deeper and more physical roster assembled by General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley. With offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik installing his system, Miami is looking to build an offense centered around balance, efficiency, physicality and explosive playmakers.
From a completely revamped quarterback room to one of the NFL’s most dangerous running backs and an offensive line built for power football, the Dolphins are betting that a fresh approach will return them to playoff contention.
Quarterbacks: Malik Willis Leads a New Beginning
Every new era begins with the quarterback, and for the first time since 2021, Miami will have a different opening-day starter.
The Dolphins acquired Malik Willis, who is expected to lead the offense when Miami opens the Jeff Hafley era against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 13.
After spending the last two seasons backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay, Willis enters Miami with confidence and momentum. Though his opportunities were limited, he maximized every snap, completing an impressive 79 percent of his passes while averaging 10.9 yards per attempt. He threw six touchdown passes without an interception while adding another dimension with his legs, rushing for 261 yards and three touchdowns.
Willis’ mobility perfectly complements Bobby Slowik’s offense, allowing Miami to incorporate designed quarterback runs, bootlegs and play-action concepts that can stress opposing defenses.
Behind Willis is second-year quarterback Quinn Ewers, the lone returning member of the room.
The former Texas standout gained valuable experience as a rookie, making three starts while completing 66 percent of his passes for three touchdowns. While there were expected growing pains, Ewers consistently displayed poise beyond his years and an impressive ability to diagnose defensive coverages.
Slowik has praised Ewers’ growth throughout the offseason, noting that the young quarterback has taken major strides in understanding NFL defenses and improving his command of the offense. Depth won’t be an issue either.
Former North Dakota State star Cam Miller arrives after a productive college career that included 45 victories, over 9,700 passing yards, 81 touchdown passes and another 48 rushing touchdowns. His dual-threat ability makes him an intriguing developmental prospect.
Rounding out the room is Mark Gronowski, one of the most decorated FCS quarterbacks in recent memory. A two-time national champion at South Dakota State before finishing his career at Iowa, Gronowski brings leadership, toughness and athleticism after accounting for 16 rushing touchdowns during his lone season with the Hawkeyes.
Quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan inherits an athletic, versatile quarterback room that fits the modern NFL.
Running Backs: De’Von Achane Headlines One of the NFL’s Best Groups
Few position groups on Miami’s roster possess the continuity of the running back room.
Despite ranking just 24th in rushing attempts last season, the Dolphins still finished 13th in rushing yards with 2,044 while averaging an outstanding 4.7 yards per carry—the fourth-best mark in the NFL.
At the center of it all is superstar De’Von Achane. Achane has quickly become one of the league’s premier offensive weapons. During the 2025 season he rushed for 1,350 yards while adding another 488 receiving yards on 67 catches, finishing with an incredible 1,838 yards from scrimmage despite missing the regular-season finale.
His production nearly surpassed Ricky Williams’ franchise record for total yards from scrimmage, cementing his place among the greatest offensive talents in Dolphins history.
Still only 24 years old, Achane owns an astonishing 5.6 career yards-per-carry average and has already scored 35 touchdowns in just 44 career games. Miami rewarded its franchise running back with a long-term contract extension this offseason.
Behind Achane, the Dolphins feature an impressive blend of youth and power.
Ollie Gordon II quickly earned short-yardage responsibilities thanks to his physical running style, while second-year back Jaylen Wright flashed explosive potential, highlighted by a 107-yard performance against the Jets in Week 14.
General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan continued adding competition by signing former Michigan captain Donovan Edwards, whose memorable 104-yard performance helped lead the Wolverines to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
Veteran Carlos Washington Jr. adds NFL experience after spending three seasons with Atlanta.
The rookie class also includes South Florida product Anthony Hankerson, who starred at St. Thomas Aquinas before producing more than 3,100 yards from scrimmage during his college career, while former San Diego State linebacker DJ Herman transitions to fullback, adding versatility and physicality to the offense. With Achane leading the charge, Miami boasts one of the NFL’s deepest backfields.
Wide Receivers: A Completely Rebuilt Unit
No offensive position underwent a bigger transformation this offseason than wide receiver.
Following major roster moves that included a blockbuster trade and veteran departures, Jon-Eric Sullivan completely reshaped the room, emphasizing versatility, size and speed. Third-year receiver Malik Washington suddenly becomes the veteran leader.
Already a proven contributor on offense and special teams, Washington has totaled 540 receiving yards while becoming one of the NFL’s more dangerous return specialists with nearly 1,800 return yards and a punt return touchdown.
Former Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert hopes to recreate the breakout campaign that saw him catch seven touchdowns in 2024. Alongside him is speedster Tutu Atwell, whose blazing sub-4.3 speed makes him a constant deep threat capable of stretching defenses vertically.
Miami’s 2026 draft class adds tremendous upside. Caleb Douglas offers prototypical size at 6-foot-4 with exceptional route-running ability. Chris Bell combines rare physicality and explosiveness, possessing the size to win contested catches while remaining a dangerous vertical weapon.
Meanwhile, Kevin Coleman Jr. projects as an exciting slot receiver after showcasing elite quickness throughout his college career. Undrafted rookie Donaven McCulley gives Miami another large receiving target at 6-foot-4 after concluding his collegiate career at Michigan.
Additional competition comes from veterans Theo Wease Jr., AJ Henning, Terrace Marshall Jr., and former first-round selection Jalen Reagor, creating one of the deepest receiver competitions in recent Dolphins history. The room may lack established superstars, but it features athleticism, versatility and significant upside.
Tight Ends: Greg Dulcich Headlines an Emerging Group
One of Miami’s biggest surprises from 2025 returns as the leader of a revamped tight end room.
Greg Dulcich emerged from relative obscurity after beginning last season on the practice squad before becoming one of the NFL’s hottest tight ends over the final month.
During the last five games, Dulcich caught 16 of 18 targets for 222 yards and a touchdown, ranking among the league’s most productive tight ends during that stretch.
His late-season breakout convinced Sullivan to prioritize bringing him back in free agency.
Miami added several complementary pieces around Dulcich. Veteran Ben Sims arrives with an outstanding reputation as a blocker, while rookie Will Kacmarek was widely regarded as one of college football’s most physical blocking tight ends during his career at Ohio State.
Fifth-round pick Seydou Traore provides intriguing upside after an international journey from France to England before starring at Mississippi State. His athleticism and receiving ability make him a developmental mismatch weapon.
Former Washington draft pick Cole Turner rounds out the room, bringing NFL experience and additional depth.
Combined, the group gives Bobby Slowik flexibility to utilize multiple tight-end formations while maintaining a balanced offensive attack.
Offensive Line: Bigger, Stronger and Built for Success
Perhaps no unit better reflects Miami’s new offensive philosophy than the offensive line. The projected starting five averages more than 321 pounds while combining elite athleticism with positional versatility.
At the heart of the line is Aaron Brewer, who earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2025 and signed a lucrative contract extension after becoming one of football’s premier centers.
Brewer’s athleticism remains unmatched, allowing Miami to execute complex run schemes and screen concepts few teams can replicate.
First-round pick Kadyn Proctor immediately projects as a cornerstone. At 352 pounds with remarkable movement skills, the former Alabama All-American has franchise left tackle potential.
Second-year lineman Jonah Savaiinaea appears poised to start at right guard after impressing during his rookie campaign.
Patrick Paul enjoyed an outstanding first full season as a starter at left tackle and enters Year Three looking like a long-term answer protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
Veteran Austin Jackson returns healthy after battling injuries over the past two seasons. When available, Jackson has consistently been one of Miami’s most effective run blockers.
Depth has also improved considerably. Veteran Jamaree Salyer brings experience at four different positions, while six-year veteran Charlie Heck provides valuable swing tackle insurance.
The Dolphins also continued investing in young talent with rookie guard DJ Campbell, versatile center Jim Bonifas, tackle Kevin Cline, and developmental prospects Andrew Meyer, Josh Priebe, James Ester, Marques Cox, and Gottlieb Ayedze.
The result is perhaps Miami’s deepest offensive line in years.
Final Outlook
The 2026 Miami Dolphins offense looks vastly different from the explosive, pass-heavy units of recent seasons.
Instead, Jeff Hafley and Bobby Slowik have assembled a roster built around balance, physicality and versatility. Malik Willis brings mobility and playmaking ability to quarterback, De’Von Achane remains one of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapons, and an upgraded offensive line should provide the foundation for a more consistent rushing attack.
The receiving corps is young but loaded with opportunity, while Greg Dulcich’s emergence and an improved tight end room offer additional flexibility in Slowik’s offensive scheme.
There may be growing pains as Miami transitions into a new era, but the pieces are in place for an offense that can be multiple, explosive and far more balanced than in previous seasons. If Willis settles into the starting role and the offensive line develops as expected, the Dolphins could surprise many observers and establish the identity that Jeff Hafley envisions for the franchise’s future.
