These three Miami Dolphins players' play in 2026 will need a little bit more nuance than the box score.
The Miami Dolphins
' transition in 2026 is going to need some time and patience. Don't expect a graceful leap into the new era.
Accordingly, the assessment of everyone involved with the on-field product is going to be an important one. Who are the right pieces to move forward with? Who is underperforming? We'll explore these questions all year long. But here are three players whose judgement shouldn't necessarily come from the box score - for one reason or another.
Sep 14, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (94).Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nose tackles are the undisputed champs of "dirty work". The entire job description is "free up your teammates to make plays". Phillips was called a "damn good" 0-technique (nose tackle) by his new head coach, Jeff Hafley, this spring. That on the heels of Hafley telling Phillips he loved him coming out during a behind the scenes look at Hafley's introduction as the team's head coach.
So please don't cite things like "pressures" and "sacks" this season when assessing how Jordan Phillips
plays. His play is not coded to be measured in the stat sheet. Because if Phillips does his job the right way (I'm expecting that), it will be his teammates who are racking up the numbers.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Will Kacmarek (89).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
This role in the offense doesn't feel like it's going to be one made for catching a lot of football. As a matter of fact, Kacmarek may end up being third on the pecking order in terms of targets in the tight end room alone. But if he's the blocker that Miami seems to think that he is, he's going to play. And play a lot.
Look for how many explosive runs happen to the formational strength with Kacmarek at the point of attack. That will tell us a lot more about his performance as the in-line blocker than his receptions will.
Jun 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2). Isabella Frias-Imagn Images
Think 2024 Drake Maye
in New England
. Maye went 3-9 as a starter, posted a passer rating of 88.1, net yards per attempt of 5.50, and averaged 175 passing yards a game. Was that more about Drake Maye, or was that more about the supporting cast in New England? You tell me.
Now I'm not saying that Willis is going to be Drake Maye 2.0 and that any struggles this season won't be because of Willis. I can hear the accusations of being a Willis apologist already!
Here's what I am saying: the circumstances of the offense can and probably will lead to some misleading negative production trends for Willis even if he does play well. We have to look beyond the numbers to have the conversation - for better or for worse. The objective is simple, look for accuracy and decision making. THEN, and only then, judge whether the play was successful or not and why. That's a much more proficient way to measure his process in a season where the process is going to need to trump the result.
Miami Dolphins News
Kyle Crabbs June 18, 2026
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Three 2026 Miami Dolphins players whose play won't be accurately measured by the box score
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