The Miami Dolphins enter the 2026 season with plenty of questions, and ESPN doesn't have much faith that they'll answer them.
Miami ranks near the bottom of most major NFL power rankings, but ESPN has gone even further, placing the Dolphins dead last in its preseason rankings .
"Achane leads all running backs in receptions over the past two seasons (145), and he's 58 catches from passing Herschel Walker for the 10th most by a running back in their first four seasons," ESPN Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques wrote.
"It's a good bet that he passes him this season, considering he averages 66 catches over 17 games in his career, and the Dolphins will need him to shoulder a heavy workload. Achane's only barrier could be his availability, but he has missed only one game over the past two seasons despite 586 total touches."
This is essentially Year 0 for the Dolphins under first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley . After inheriting a roster filled with several high-priced veterans, they decided to spend their first season clearing Miami's salary cap. As a result, the Dolphins are carrying $179.2 million in dead money this year.
The 2026 season is expected to be a complete rebuild for the Dolphins—and it is much needed. The franchise hasn't won a playoff game since 2000 or captured the AFC East crown since 2008, underscoring why the reset matters.
Achane is by far the Dolphins' best player , but they will go as far as quarterback Malik Willis takes them.
Sullivan and Hafley were familiar with Willis from their time with the Green Bay Packers and signed him to a three-year, $67.5 million deal during the offseason. Willis is far from a slam dunk at quarterback because he has made only six career starts.
Fair or not, the 2026 season will be about determining whether Willis can become the Dolphins' franchise quarterback. Miami needs an answer because it could be in position to select one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft, with Arch Manning , Dante Moore, CJ Carr, and Darian Mensah among the possibilities.
Miami's success will hinge on how Willis performs in 2026.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
