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Ranking the Miami Dolphins
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- Ranking the Miami Dolphins
One game cannot establish a definitive hierarchy for an entire roster. It can sharpen the discussion about which Dolphins are influencing the action and which young players are becoming central to Miami's plans. This week's editorial top five emphasizes Sunday's production and current involvement, not a claim that these are Miami's best players over the full season.
No. 1: Chop Robinson.
Robinson recorded two sacks against New England, giving Miami tangible pass-rush production in a game it could not finish. He played 33 defensive snaps, according to Alain Poupart's snap-count report. The combination makes him the first player on this week's list: a defender whose impact showed up in the backfield rather than only in participation totals.
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No. 2: Malik Willis.
The quarterback remains central to everything Miami does offensively. He threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns against the Patriots, including the late scoring pass to Kevin Coleman Jr. His interception and five sacks prevent an unqualified endorsement of the afternoon. Still, the first-half touchdown drive and closing explosive play keep him near the top of this game-focused ranking.
No. 3: Jacob Rodriguez.
Rodriguez played all 60 defensive snaps against New England, matching the full-game workload he had against the Jets in Poupart's report. That continuing involvement makes him an important part of the defense's present, not merely a prospect for its future. His place here reflects how prominently Miami is using him while building a young defensive core.
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No. 4: Malik Washington.
Washington caught the short touchdown that helped Miami reach halftime ahead 13-3. He returned to that possession after briefly leaving following a hard hit. He also logged 48 offensive snaps, keeping him heavily involved even as the receiver rotation changed around him. Production and continued opportunity both support his position on this list.
No. 5: Caleb Douglas.
Douglas played 56 of Miami's 65 offensive snaps, more than any other Dolphins receiver in Poupart's breakdown. That is an opportunity signal, not proof of a permanent No. 1 designation. For a young receiver, however, being on the field that often creates a substantial platform for development and gives Miami more chances to evaluate his work.
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Coleman belongs just outside this five-player group after his late touchdown, while Jordyn Brooks remains important through his every-snap defensive role. Neither should disappear from the discussion simply because a short list needs a cutoff.
The next step is consistency. Sunday produced identifiable contributions, but Miami needs those contributions to connect across four quarters. These rankings should move when the evidence moves, rather than rewarding a familiar name or permanently penalizing one mistake.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
