The Phinsider

Dolphins RB De'von Achane was featured in preseason action, receiving handoffs from QB Malik Willis during a preseason game against Washington, indicating his involvement in the offensive scheme heading into Week 1.

Dolphins QB Malik Willis was featured in preseason action, handing off to De'von Achane during a preseason game against Washington, raising questions about his potential usage in Week 1 against the Raiders.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers is injured and will not start the regular season, with Michael Mayer stepping in as the primary tight end for Week 1.

Raiders TE Michael Mayer is stepping in for an injured Brock Bowers to start the regular season and has received a multiyear extension from the Las Vegas Raiders, signaling the team's confidence in him as the primary tight end for Week 1 and beyond.

Anthony Gordon is projected with 10 carries for 40 rushing yards in Week 1, indicating a backup role in the running back rotation behind De'Von Achane.

Tyreek Hill (referenced as 'Chop') is projected to generate immediate impact with a strip sack in Week 1. One fan states 'Chop will get a big strip sack that will set us up for some key points,' signaling confidence in his pass-rush ability and game-changing potential.

Malik Washington is projected as a receiving target with 7–8 receptions and 85–100 receiving yards in Week 1. One fan projects 'Washington – 8 receptions 85 yds 0 td,' while another forecasts '7 catches, 100 yards,' indicating confidence in his role as a pass-catcher in the offense.

Jalen Brooks is consistently projected as the defensive tackle leader with double-digit tackles. Projections range from 10 to 11 tackles, with one fan adding 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Another fan projects 'Brooks – 10tkls/2Tfl/1sack,' signaling confidence in his run-stopping role and potential for disruptive plays.

Multiple fans project De'Von Achane as a lead back with strong Week 1 production. Projections range from 110 rushing yards with 40 receiving yards and 2 TDs to 150 rushing yards on 20 carries with 2 TDs. One fan credits Achane with 8 first downs, indicating heavy offensive involvement and role confidence in the rushing attack.

Fans project Malik Willis with multiple stat-line scenarios for Week 1 against Las Vegas. Projections include 250–280 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and 40–50 rushing yards. One fan specifically forecasts 'Willis 250 Passing w 2 TD, 50 rushing, one int around 95 passer rating,' while another projects 'Willis with 50 on the ground/280 in the air.' Willis is also listed among Pro Bowl candidates, reflecting fan confidence in his debut performance.

Multiple fans project Chris Bell as an emerging offensive weapon with strong confidence in his Week 1 impact. One fan explicitly states 'everyone is about to know who Chris Bell is. This player is going to be a beast,' with projections ranging from 90 receiving yards and 1 TD to 120 yards and 1 TD. Another fan lists Bell among Pro Bowl candidates for the coming season, signaling high expectations for his role in the offense.

Dulcich is a potential touchdown target for Malik Willis in the Dolphins' Week 1 game against Las Vegas, with a pass in the middle of the end zone identified as a possible scoring play.

Douglas is part of the Dolphins' wide receiver rotation alongside Malik Washington and Chris Bell; expected to have a quiet start to his NFL career in Week 1 as the team balances multiple pass-catchers; prop bet on 2.5 receptions leans under, though he could have a monster day if the Raiders sell out against the run and Willis gets quick passes out to receivers.

Willis is a first-time full-time starter at quarterback for Miami with dual-threat ability that adds complexity to the Dolphins' offense; expected to throw at least one touchdown pass in his Dolphins debut; prop bet on 0.5 passing touchdowns is an easy over, with potential scoring plays including a short pass to Achane or a pass to Dulcich in the end zone.

Achane will be the focus of the Dolphins' offense in Week 1 against Las Vegas; expected to exceed 100 rushing yards as Miami will run him repeatedly until the Raiders prove they can stop him; prop bet on 68.5 rushing yards is an easy over given the volume he should receive.

Raiders quarterback not yet starting but critical to franchise direction. Raiders have cycled through eight different starting quarterbacks since benching Derek Carr four years ago. When Mendoza gets his shot, looking like a capable starter will be essential for giving Raider Nation optimism about the future.

Dolphins running back positioned as part of Miami's primary offensive game plan against Raiders secondary; source suggests pounding the rock with Achane and Malik Willis should be the first plan of attack given Raiders' secondary weaknesses.

De'Von Achane is featured in a photo from a previous Dolphins-Raiders matchup where he scored a touchdown. The source's game plan recommendation is for Miami to 'run the ball right up the middle and make the young secondary prove they can cover,' suggesting Achane should see favorable rushing opportunities against the Raiders' weak interior defense.

First-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza met expectations during training camp and preseason, showing growth in working under center, going through reads, and throwing into tight windows over the middle—three areas considered knocks on him at Indiana. However, the offense ran more smoothly with Kirk Cousins, and the source now projects Mendoza's first start around Week 8 rather than Week 6, allowing the offensive line time to gel and the rookie a grace period to adjust to the NFL.

Kirk Cousins led the Raiders' offense in preseason and the offense functioned more smoothly with him than with first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The source notes Cousins will start Week 1 while Mendoza develops, with the rookie expected to debut around Week 8.

With Brock Bowers out, wide receiver Tre Tucker is expected to have a much bigger role as the No. 2 pass-catcher behind Bowers' absence. Tucker was previously expected to fill that role but now moves into a more prominent offensive position.

Mike Washington Jr. looked really good in the preseason and is expected to see increased offensive role as the Raiders shift focus to the rushing attack with Brock Bowers out. The source specifically highlights Washington Jr.'s preseason performance as a reason for elevated expectations.

With Brock Bowers out, the source expects Kubiak to shift the focus to the rushing attack with backs Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr., signaling increased offensive role and usage for Jeanty in Week 1.

Bowers will be out for Week 1, removing the Raiders' best weapon in the passing game and overall player on that side of the ball. The source expected the offense to run through Bowers but now anticipates Kubiak will shift focus to the rushing attack with backs Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr., and widen receiver Tre Tucker's role as the No. 2 pass-catcher.

Running back has set lofty aspirations for the 2026 season, aiming for the NFL rushing title. Achane sets this goal for himself every year and is ready for Week 1 against Las Vegas Raiders. The source notes odds and defenses may be stacked against him in pursuit of the title.

Rookie wide receiver recovered from torn ACL ahead of schedule and will be ready for Week 1 opener against Las Vegas Raiders with no snap count restrictions. Bell believed throughout his recovery that he would be ready for his first NFL game, even from the time he suffered the injury in November.

Fifth-round rookie wide receiver switched from preseason number 83 (formerly worn by Dolphins great Mark Clayton) to number 21 for the 2026 season opener. Coleman chose 21 to honor his brother Rashaad, who was killed by gunfire on October 21st, 2008, when Coleman was 18 months old. The number change reflects personal significance rather than depth chart movement.

Achane, coming off his first career Pro Bowl selection, has set a personal goal to win the NFL rushing title this season. He emphasized the importance of goal-setting, saying 'I feel like you don't got goals, I feel like what are you playing the game for?' and stated 'I always try to go for the rushing title so that's just something I do.' This reflects his confidence and ambition heading into the 2026 season.

Achane is expected to be the focal point of the Dolphins offense under new head coach Jeff Hafley, who joked in the summer about giving him 45 touches per game. Achane acknowledged the realistic expectation that opposing defenses will stack the box to slow him down, but emphasized how that opens opportunities for receivers in the passing game. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, promoted from passing game coordinator, uses Achane in both the run and pass game, providing stability from the prior system while bringing new elements.

Starting quarterback for Miami in Week One against Las Vegas; will have a full complement of offensive weapons including rookies Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman Jr., Malik Washington, tight end Greg Dulcich, and running back De'Von Achane.

Miami's most explosive offensive player who will factor mightily into the Week One matchup against Las Vegas; positioned as a key weapon in Malik Willis's first start with the Dolphins.

Third-round pick from Louisville who was projected as a late first-rounder before suffering an ACL tear in November; has recovered expeditiously and will start for Miami in Week One against Las Vegas with no snap count restrictions, per head coach Jeff Hafley. Hafley stated: 'We're going to play him — see how he feels — but, there's no pitch count on Chris.' Bell's full availability is an extremely positive development for the Dolphins early in the season.

Rodgers' 2022 final season with the Packers provides context for the passing game performance during the youth movement. The Packers finished with 3,890 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, with 15 different players catching passes and 8 topping 200 receiving yards. This baseline is used to compare Jordan Love's 2023 performance and establish the template for Malik Willis's 2026 Dolphins offense.

Wicks was drafted by Jon-Eric Sullivan as part of the Packers' youth movement and contributed to the 2023 passing game where he combined with Reed, Doubs, and Watson for roughly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns without any eclipsing 800 yards. This demonstrates the Packers built the room around depth rather than a traditional WR1, a template Sullivan is now replicating with the Dolphins' 2026 receiver room.

Watson was drafted by Jon-Eric Sullivan as part of the Packers' youth movement and finished second on the team with 611 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie in 2022. In 2023, Watson combined with Reed, Doubs, and Wicks for roughly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns without any eclipsing 800 yards, demonstrating the Packers built the room around depth rather than a traditional WR1. This template is relevant to Miami's 2026 receiver room construction.

Doubs was drafted by Jon-Eric Sullivan as part of the Packers' youth movement and produced 425 yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie in 2022. In 2023, Doubs combined with Reed, Wicks, and Watson for roughly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns without any eclipsing 800 yards. The source notes Doubs led the team in 2024 and 2025 with 724 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating sustained production in a distributed receiving system that Sullivan is now replicating in Miami.

Reed was part of the Packers' youth movement drafted by Jon-Eric Sullivan and made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2023, leading the team in receiving yards. The source notes Reed and Doubs led the team in 2024 and 2025 with 857 yards and 724 yards respectively, each with six touchdowns, demonstrating steady growth in a distributed receiving system. This template is relevant to Miami's 2026 receiver room, which Sullivan now oversees.

Love's 2023 season with the Packers serves as a template for Malik Willis's 2026 outlook. Love threw for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns in his first year as starter, with the ball spread widely across 16 pass-catchers; nine reached 200+ receiving yards. Reed, Doubs, Wicks, and Watson combined for roughly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns without any eclipsing 800 yards, demonstrating the Packers built the room around depth rather than a WR1.

Dulcich is identified as a pass-catching tight end in the Dolphins' 2026 receiving corps, part of a deep skill-player group that includes six receivers on the 53-man roster plus Achane and several other players who can handle targets. The source suggests the Dolphins' passing game may follow the Packers' pattern of broad distribution with no single player dominating the stat sheet.

Achane is expected to be central to the Dolphins' offensive attack in 2026, with offensive coordinator Jeff Hafley joking that Achane would get the ball 40–45 times per game. This heavy usage suggests the Dolphins' passing game distribution will differ from the Packers template, with the offense running through Achane rather than spreading targets evenly across receivers.