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The Phinsider fantasy football takes on Malik Willis
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from The Phinsider about Malik Willis.
80
Insights
21
Positive
44
Negative
Insight ledger
All The Phinsider insights about Malik Willis
NegativeRoleOct 28, 2026
The source cautions Willis against excessive scrambling despite his elite mobility, warning that cumulative hits from scrambling—analogous to 'riding motorcycles on the city streets'—pose short-term and long-term injury risk. The source urges Willis to 'make you the one and only Malik' and avoid the injury patterns of historical mobile QBs, emphasizing that hits are cumulative and involve double kinetic energy (from both QB and defender).PositiveRoleOct 28, 2026
The source emphasizes Willis's physical durability and resilience, noting his 'build of a NFL linebacker' and shock absorption capacity. After absorbing a late hit that the source describes as cowardly, Willis 'barely fazed' and 'just brushed that dirty hit off,' demonstrating toughness the source values at 'millions to this organization.' The source contrasts Willis's durability favorably against injury-prone mobile QBs (Tarkenton, Cunningham, Lamar Jackson, Archie Manning, Michael Vick) who sustained cumulative upper and lower body damage from scrambling.PositiveProjectionOct 28, 2026
The source praises Willis's performance against the NY Jets as elite-level execution: perfect throws with proper weight transfer and footwork, quick decision-making on rhythm throws (one-two-three cadence), elite NFL throwing strength and speed, ability to vary delivery with change of speeds and arm angles, and successful pocket mobility. The source notes Willis 'matriculated us down the field' in similar fashion during preseason, describing the offensive execution as 'on-time and on-target' and 'dang near impossible to stop,' establishing a positive pattern to build upon.NegativeRoleOct 28, 2026
The source indicates Willis will start at least through the second Jets game, with the team having no choice but to keep him for now. The evaluation period is still early at only 5 games, and the source compares Willis's development trajectory to historical QBs like Darnold, Mayfield, and Daniel Jones, who took longer to develop and received more starts as first-rounders in better situations. The source suggests waiting to see what Willis does in the next 12 games before making final roster decisions.PositiveProjectionOct 28, 2026
Willis's early-season performance has been characterized as abysmal by the source; he plays scared and is slow in processing what he sees on the field. While he shows flashes of accuracy on 2-3 mid-range passes per game and is rated one of the worst for on-target throws overall, the source notes he understands the plays but struggles with execution. The evaluation is still ongoing after only 5 games, with the source suggesting the experiment has not finished and final direction on Willis's future will come two months after the season ends.NegativeProjectionOct 28, 2026
Multiple commenters argue 5 games is too small a sample size to make a definitive evaluation. One source says 'Play the season then decide what to do. If Willis had been amazing through 5 weeks that would also be the correct answer.' Another notes 'Only 5 games' and that the evaluation of coaches is also incomplete. The consensus among this group is to wait until the full season is complete before making roster decisions, as it remains unclear how much of Willis's struggles stem from supporting cast issues versus his own limitations.NegativeProjectionOct 28, 2026
One source perspective argues Willis's body of work needs context: with Douglas and Achane out, he is throwing to a 'truly horrific set of pass catchers.' Malik Washington is a passable #3 being asked to play as a #1, and no other receiver is even below average. Dulcich has been a huge disappointment, and Bell and Coleman are not ready. Despite these constraints, Willis played well against Cincinnati (the best defense in the league) and would have won if rookie receivers stayed in bounds and avoided drops. Two of his TDs were chalked off by mental errors by Chris Bell. His fumble against Minnesota came after being hit as he threw on a 3-step drop. His second INT against Cincinnati came on a terrible route by Washington. The source notes Willis is 4th in the league in rushing yards for QBs and 2 of the guys above him have played a game more.NegativeBustOct 28, 2026
The source concludes Willis has not proven to be the long-term answer after 5 games. One commenter states 'I've never believed Willis was likely to become a long-term NFL starter, so my answer is no. At this point, the experiment has run its course.' Another notes his performance is 'not even close to what Sullivan and Hafley promised.' The consensus is that Miami must prioritize finding a new starting quarterback for next season, whether through draft or free agency, as the fan base cannot tolerate this level of QB play for two consecutive years.NegativeRoleOct 28, 2026
Willis has struggled with inconsistent footwork, frequently narrowing his throwing stance and throwing off his back foot, which destroys passing accuracy. He bails out of clean pockets instead of stepping up, missing open short-to-intermediate targets. He holds the ball too long (2.93 seconds average) and hesitates to use his mobility effectively despite being 4th in the league in rushing yards for QBs through 5 games.PositiveProjectionOct 28, 2026
Through 5 games, Willis has posted a 68.4 passer rating (lowest among QBs with at least four starts), 58.5% on-target accuracy (league-worst), 849 yards, 2 TDs, and 4 INTs. The source attributes his struggles to painfully slow processing and decision-making, erratic footwork (frequently throwing off his back foot), holding the ball an average of 2.93 seconds, and over-reliance on deep throws (21% of passes are 20+ yards despite only 20% completion rate on deep attempts). Despite context around receiver injuries and offensive line issues, the source concludes his performance has been below what is needed to compete.PositiveProjectionOct 27, 2026
Dolphins QB nominated for FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week award for week seven performance against the Jets, posting 3 TDs and 0 turnovers. The source notes Willis's strong play alongside Douglas's breakout performance as evidence the Dolphins may have found their next superstar at wide receiver.PositiveProjectionOct 27, 2026
Malik Willis played exceptionally well against the Jets, showing night-and-day improvement from prior performances. While his stat line won't blow anyone's mind, Willis was decisive, made smart decisions, and protected the ball. The source notes that 5 bad games were not enough to judge him, and neither is 1 good game, but this level of play could signal the start of an upward trend if sustained.PositiveRoleOct 27, 2026
Willis joined an exclusive group of QBs with 1,000+ passing yards and 200+ rushing yards through Week 7 of the 2026 season, alongside Josh Allen, Drake Maye, and Deshaun Watson. This dual-threat production profile places him among elite mobile quarterbacks in the league.PositiveProjectionOct 27, 2026
Willis delivered a strong Week 7 performance against the Jets: 14/21 for 208 yards, 2 passing TDs, 37 rushing yards on 8 carries, 1 rushing TD, and a 130.7 passer rating. His EPA per drop back ranked fifth-best among all QBs this season, per Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports. However, the source cautions that this elite outing doesn't guarantee he'll sustain elite numbers going forward, noting his Week 5 three-turnover performance and the volatility of his early tenure as a first-year starter.PositiveProjectionOct 27, 2026
Willis delivered a strong Week 7 performance against the Jets with 245 total yards, 3 touchdowns, and zero turnovers in his first win as Dolphins starting QB; performance earned him a nomination for FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week award, marking his best game as a member of the Dolphins.PositiveProjectionOct 27, 2026
Malik Willis delivered a breakout Week 7 performance against the New York Jets, completing 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and 2 passing touchdowns while adding 37 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown with zero turnovers; finished with a 130.7 passer rating—his highest of the season—and earned a FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week nomination. The Dolphins won their first game of the year on the strength of Willis's dual-threat efficiency. Upcoming matchup vs. New England Patriots (ranked 10th in yards allowed per game at 315.7 and 9th in scoring defense at 20.4 points per game) presents a difficult test but follows Willis's strong performance against the previously 5th-ranked Jets defense.PositiveProjectionOct 26, 2026
Willis delivered his best performance since joining Miami with three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), zero turnovers, and a 130.7 passer rating—79.7 points higher than his previous outing (51.0 vs. Cincinnati). The source highlights his improved decision-making and effective use of athleticism, noting he took what the defense gave him rather than constantly hunting for home runs, demonstrating the offense can move the football when the quarterback executes well.NegativeProjectionOct 26, 2026
Despite the Dolphins' Week 7 victory over the Jets, fan confidence in Malik Willis remains a concern; expectations are for improved performance from the quarterback after the bye week, suggesting current output has not met expectations.PositiveProjectionOct 26, 2026
Willis delivered his best performance in a Dolphins uniform, completing 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover while adding 37 rushing yards and a touchdown with his legs. The source credits Willis with giving Miami's offense a dimension that has been largely missing this season and sealing the victory with a 4th and 1 tush-push with less than two minutes on the clock. While one strong performance doesn't anoint Willis as the organization's savior, the source states he deserves credit for delivering a win and gave Miami a performance worth celebrating after weeks of searching for something to build on.PositiveProjectionOct 25, 2026
In his first year as a starting quarterback, Willis responded to recent criticism with a strong performance: 14-for-21 for 208 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown, along with 6 runs for 39 yards. The source notes he was decisive, accurate, and unafraid to use his legs to make plays, demonstrating the improvement needed after previous weeks' struggles.NegativeRoleOct 25, 2026
In his first year as a full-time starter, Willis has struggled with decision-making and pocket management; he wants to find the perfect play rather than take what the defense gives him, has taken unnecessary sacks, forced passes into bad spots, and preferred to stay in the pocket rather than use his legs to gain yards. The source expects improvement following bye-week self-scouting.PositiveProjectionOct 25, 2026
Malik Willis passing and rushing yards prop set at 218.5. Willis has thrown for more than 218 passing yards only once this year in Week 1 and will probably finish around 200 yards again, but the source expects him to be more active with his legs today. Willis picked up a season-high 74 yards on eight rushes in Week 5, and the source believes the team will encourage him to run more rather than force passes or take sacks. If Willis reaches 50 rushing yards, the source views 218.5 combined yards as well under his actual total.NegativeRoleOct 23, 2026
Willis is the Dolphins quarterback whose passing game has been ailing through the first five games; offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and quarterback coach Jeff Hafley used the bye week to meet with Willis to discuss how to fix the struggling pass offense.PositiveInjuryOct 22, 2026
Dolphins starting quarterback who sustained a thumb injury on his right throwing hand but fully practiced four days before Week 7 game against the New York Jets, indicating he is healthy and ready for game action.NegativeProjectionOct 21, 2026
Five games into his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, Willis's performance has fallen short of upgrade expectations. He averages 169.8 passing yards per game, 56.2% completion rate (career-low), 2 TDs to 4 INTs, and a 68.4 passer rating. Despite arguments that he needs more time to settle in, the source notes he hasn't used his mobility as expected, and the statistics mirror previous Dolphins quarterback struggles, signaling fading optimism about his long-term viability as a starter.NegativeRoleOct 20, 2026
Kevin Coleman critiques offensive coordinator Slowik's playcalling for underutilizing Willis as a runner; Willis has been scrambling and making plays on his own, but Slowik needs to dial up easy short-game completions and deploy Willis as a true run-game threat rather than relying on scrambles. Coleman suggests if this offensive usage doesn't improve soon, Slowik may not return in 2027.NegativeProjectionOct 20, 2026
Willis's struggles have been documented extensively; the quarterback position is trending down for the Dolphins this season.NegativeProjectionOct 20, 2026
Through five games, Malik Willis has led the Dolphins to an 0-5 record in his first season with the team after being signed in free agency by GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. The passing game has struggled significantly this season, raising questions about how to solve the quarterback position going forward.NegativeRoleOct 19, 2026
The source defends Willis's potential, noting he could work out as a starter or in a Don Strock/Earl Morrall backup role. The source wants Willis to succeed but questions whether the coaching staff is truly committed to developing him and whether he is absorbing the coaching being provided. The core issue is stipulated as: the coaches are probably coaching him, but he is not absorbing it.NegativeProjectionOct 19, 2026
Willis's development has been stunted by his offensive system history. He was corrupted by Gus Malzahn's Auburn offense (which revolves around run game and deep shots with virtually no check-downs), then moved to Hugh Freeze at Liberty who runs similar concepts. Both systems rely on hitting deep shots at high probability rather than precision timing-and-accuracy throws. This is the opposite of McDaniel's timing-and-precision offense, which Willis now plays in. Michael Silver wrote an article on how Malzahn ruined Jarrett Stidham, and Willis faces similar developmental challenges.NegativeRoleOct 19, 2026
Willis is struggling with pocket awareness and premature pocket escapulation; his feet placement on throws is consistently wrong, and he runs too quickly which puts his feet out of position. The source identifies this as the number one reason his throws are off target and emphasizes he must plant and fire like Marino did, rather than contorting like Mahomes. Willis needs to stay in the pocket, work on internal brain clock (4 seconds to throw or less), and avoid running all the way back into his drop before deciding to run.NegativeRoleOct 19, 2026
Willis bears plenty of blame for Miami's stagnant passing attack; his decision-making process has yet to speed up to the requisite level to avoid major mistakes. He needs to consistently get through his progressions while discerning when to abandon the pocket or give up on a play. With only eleven career starts, he looks like a quarterback who lacks the maturation level the Dolphins need for complete performances.NegativeProjectionOct 18, 2026
Through Miami's first five games (Week 1–5), Dolphins fans graded Willis's performance overwhelmingly poorly: 50.4 percent gave him a D, and 22 percent gave him an F, totaling 72.4 percent of the fanbase rating him as failing or near-failing. No fans awarded him an A grade. The source notes Willis signed as a free agent in the offseason and that his play must improve quickly or he will be viewed as merely a one-year rental for the rebuild.NegativeProjectionOct 18, 2026
A fan expresses frustration with Willis's mechanics and decision-making, noting he stares down his first read, throws off his back foot, sails throws for interceptions in bunches, and misses open receivers, suggesting significant accuracy and processing concerns.NegativeRoleOct 18, 2026
Multiple fans express concerns about Willis's performance and development, with one suggesting he should spend extra time with receivers to develop better chemistry and timing during the bye week, implying current connection issues are limiting offensive effectiveness.NegativeProjectionOct 17, 2026
Willis ranks poorly across the board: 24th in completions, 32nd in completion percentage, 25th in passing yards, 29th in passing touchdowns, 33rd in yards per attempt, and 31st in passer rating through five games. Against Cincinnati, his worst game of the season, Willis missed open receivers, passed over check-down options, took an unnecessary sack, and turned the ball over three times. Most concerning is the pattern of repeated mistakes, including fumbles in three straight games, though the source attributes some struggles to playing behind a young offensive line without top receiver Caleb Douglas and missing De'Von Achane.NegativeProjectionOct 14, 2026
The Phinsider surveyed Dolphins fans to grade Malik Willis' performance over the first five games of the 2026 season as the team heads into a Week 6 bye. Willis is the starting quarterback for the youngest team in the league, which is struggling to find its identity early in the season.NegativeRoleOct 14, 2026
Quarterback Malik Willis did not throw during Tuesday's bye week practice; the source notes that a lot of guys who would have been limited in a regular practice just did not participate due to the upcoming bye week, suggesting this is a rest/recovery decision rather than an injury or role concern.NegativeBustOct 14, 2026
Willis is viewed as a major draft error and ineffective starter; multiple fans cite poor decision-making, accuracy issues, fumbles, and interceptions as reasons he's killing the offense. He's pushing for big plays instead of taking what the defense gives, reluctant to use his legs despite that being a key strength, and is keeping the defense on the field too long. Consensus is he will likely be benched after another poor performance against the Jets, with a $39.3 million dead cap hit if released.NegativeProjectionOct 13, 2026
Starting QB Malik Willis's struggles are cited as a reason the Dolphins should lean on the running game and Ollie Gordon II, suggesting Willis is not reliably moving the offense through the air.NegativeRoleOct 13, 2026
The Earl defends the Dolphins' decision to sign Willis on a 3-year, $67.5M deal ($45M guaranteed, $22.5M AAV) as financially sound and strategically correct despite poor on-field performance. Willis carries a $5.68M cap hit in 2026 and $25.96M in 2027, but the Dolphins will have the 3rd-highest cap space ($110.3M+) even with dead money for Tua, Bradley Chubb, and Austin Jackson's void year. The Earl argues Willis was reasonably cost-effective compared to pre-FA estimates over $40M/year, similar to the Jets' Justin Fields deal, and that the Dolphins were familiar with him from his Green Bay background. He notes that Quinn Ewers, the alternative, was considerably worse in camp and preseason. The Earl acknowledges Willis's window for hope is closing fast after poor recent performances but maintains the front office made the correct move by acquiring a young QB with upside without overcommitting long-term.NegativeProjectionOct 13, 2026
Willis, the Dolphins' first-year starter, has struggled significantly through five games; by virtually any statistical measure among the 19 quarterbacks who started all five of their team's games heading into Week 5, Willis ranks worst. Head coach Jeff Hafley confirmed Willis remains the starter despite benching rumors, but acknowledged decision-making and field vision deficiencies. Hafley noted some encouraging moments late in the Bengals game, including a two-minute drive at the end of the half and aggressive play at game's end, but the overall performance trend is deeply concerning for a 0-5 team.NegativeRoleOct 12, 2026
Dolphins rookie head coach Jeff Hafley confirmed Willis remains the starter for Week 7 vs Jets despite a 31-24 loss in Week 6 where Willis threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Hafley stated bluntly 'No' when asked if the Dolphins were considering benching Willis for backup Kyle McCord, and emphasized 'We've played five games and Malik is our quarterback.' Hafley acknowledged Willis needs to improve but framed the issue as team-wide: 'Malik needs to be better, okay? And that's not the headline. The headline is, we all need to be better.' Hafley cited the running game (200 yards vs Cincinnati) as a bright spot and identified pass game execution—receivers, tight ends, protection, and quarterback play—as areas requiring improvement across the board.NegativeUsageOct 12, 2026
Willis was the Fins Down player of the week after a three-turnover performance (2 INTs, 1 fumble) against Cincinnati in week 5. Through five games as Miami's first-year starter, Willis has posted 849 passing yards (169.8 per game), 2 passing TDs, 4 INTs, plus 186 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. The source notes his poor play is a major reason the Dolphins remain winless, though it recommends continued evaluation rather than benching in favor of backup Kyle McCord.NegativeProjectionOct 12, 2026
Willis' three-turnover performance (2 INTs, 1 fumble) in Week 5 loss to Cincinnati was the defining story of Miami's defeat. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 136 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs, plus lost a fumble. The source criticizes his decision-making and inconsistency, noting he repeatedly went 'big-play-hunting' instead of taking what the defense gave him, particularly damaging in the first half as Cincinnati built a 21-7 lead. While Willis showed athleticism with 6 carries for 63 rushing yards (including a 39-yard scramble), the source states turnovers are 'impossible to ignore' and questions whether Willis can be 'a dependable part of their future' at 0-5, concluding Sunday's performance 'did little to inspire confidence.'NegativeProjectionOct 12, 2026
Malik Willis finished 15-of-27 for 137 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, for a 51.0 passer rating in Week 5 loss to Bengals. The source grades his decision-making as C, noting he forced throws down the field instead of taking easier completions underneath; he could have thrown to TE Will Kacmarek on his first interception but tried to force it, and threw late and across his body on his second interception intended for Kevin Coleman. Willis was nearly intercepted a third time in the end zone. The source indicates Willis needs to lean on checkdowns and sometimes could step up into the pocket under edge pressure rather than forcing throws.NegativeProjectionOct 12, 2026
Willis threw three turnovers (2 INTs, 1 fumble) in a 31-24 loss to Cincinnati on October 11, 2026, including a backbreaking sack on a first-and-goal situation from the half-yard line. Post-game, Willis expressed visible frustration with execution and accountability, stating the offense must 'take advantage' of opportunities against good teams and cannot 'keep doing this to ourselves.' Willis acknowledged the missed assignment on the sack, saying 'I took a sack. I wanted to make a play… Unfortunate. Bad play by me.' The Dolphins remain winless heading into a bye week before facing the Jets, with Willis and the offense needing significant improvement.NegativeRoleOct 12, 2026
Malik Willis is the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, as evidenced by his appearance in the game photo against the Minnesota Vikings on October 4, 2026, where he is shown looking to pass in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.NegativeProjectionOct 11, 2026
Starting QB delivered a poor performance against Cincinnati, playing as if the game was too fast for him and trying to make perfect plays instead of executing. Willis was 1-for-7 for 23 yards and two interceptions (0.6 passer rating) until completing four passes in the final drive of the first half; he finished 15-for-27 for 137 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions (51.0 passer rating). The source notes the second half showed flashes of why the coaching staff believes he could be the QB of the future, but his overall performance raises questions about whether Miami will need to make a change at the position.NegativeProjectionOct 9, 2026
Willis is struggling significantly in his first season with the Dolphins. His completion percentage is at the bottom of the league, his YPA is 6.9 (below the Mendoza line), and his TD% is abysmal with only 1 TD on the season despite 4 games played. The source notes he is missing throws, doesn't look comfortable or confident, and is pushing it—trying to do too much and panicking. While the source acknowledges he has limited pass catchers and has faced four top-8 passing defenses, Willis must show significant improvement. The source advocates for simpler play-calling with quick completions and out-routes to build rhythm and confidence.NegativeProjectionOct 9, 2026
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis says his play in the first four weeks is 'not good enough.' With rankings close to the bottom of the league in passer rating and passing yards per game, Willis's performance hasn't met his expectations, raising concerns about his fantasy viability and the team's offensive output.NegativeProjectionOct 8, 2026
Starting quarterback's production remains concerning despite the source's stated lack of worry about his long-term prospects; Willis passed for under 100 yards in Week 4 against Minnesota, continuing a troubling trend. The Dolphins rank third-fewest in passing yards (163.5 per game), last in completions and completion percentage, and have thrown only one touchdown pass through four games. Unlike Baker Mayfield and Caleb Williams who have more experience, Willis has not made the same progress as other positions on the roster. Additionally, the team is calling fewer designed runs for Willis—the Vikings game was the second in which he had only two rushing attempts—limiting his dual-threat upside.NegativeProjectionOct 8, 2026
Willis is viewed as a significant liability by multiple fans; one source questions whether he is even good enough to be a backup QB after being gifted the starting job on 6 prior starts and paid $45 million; another criticizes his lack of vision, inability to see plays develop, constant underthrowing, and notes his legs are his only asset, which limits the development of rookie receivers Bell, Douglas, and Coleman; Willis threw for only 85 yards in the game.NegativeRoleOct 7, 2026
Starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings; the team dropped to 0-4 with the loss, continuing their winless start to the 2026 season.NegativeProjectionOct 6, 2026
Willis struggled mightily, going 9-17 for 85 yards with 2 sacks (one a strip sack). The source notes the bigger issue is the lack of playmakers helping the QB; Willis targeted 6 WRs in the contest and only Malik Washington contributed meaningfully. Without elite skill players around him, Willis lacks the help needed to succeed, a problem that would persist for any rookie QB drafted by Miami unless they sign a big-time WR or TE in free agency.NegativeRoleOct 6, 2026
The source raises the question of whether quarterback Malik Willis has proven he is not the long-term answer for the Miami Dolphins, suggesting uncertainty about his viability as the franchise's future signal-caller.NegativeProjectionOct 5, 2026
Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis produced a historically poor passing performance in Week 4 loss: 9 of 17 completions for 85 yards, zero touchdowns, and a 67.0 passer rating. His inability to generate a legitimate passing attack allowed Minnesota to remain comfortable defensively and forced Miami's defense to carry the offensive load.NegativeProjectionOct 5, 2026
After four games as the Dolphins' starting QB in his franchise quarterback audition, Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson assessed Willis's play as "not good enough." However, Jackson acknowledged "during fleeting moments, tantalizing enough to not totally rule out the possibility that he could become [a franchise quarterback]," citing dynamic arm strength, escapability, high-end athleticism, and the ability to throw on the run as NFL-specific skills that keep the door open. Jackson noted that "you can't determine anything definitively after four games, particularly when several of the players around Willis are underperforming or simply not good enough," but emphasized the Dolphins are still waiting for a game where they can say "we have our guy!" or at least "I think we do." A month into the season, that game hasn't happened.NegativeRoleOct 4, 2026
Quarterback whose future with the franchise hinges on whether coaches view him as their quarterback for 2027 and beyond; source suggests more play-action passing could benefit the offense and Willis should continue using his mobility.NegativeProjectionOct 4, 2026
Averaging 209 passing yards through three games; the source projects Willis will reach approximately 200 yards against Minnesota despite defensive pressure from Vikings coordinator Brian Flores' blitz-heavy scheme. The projection assumes Miami dedicates additional blockers to keep Willis upright, as the Vikings have allowed 231 yards per game on average this season. The source takes the over on Willis's 169.5-yard prop bet.PositiveMatchupOct 2, 2026
Dolphins QB with rushing ability that could be used strategically against Vikings defense; the source identifies Willis as a potential silver lining for Miami's offense, suggesting that if offensive coordinator Slowik can deploy Willis in the run game strategically, it could force the Vikings to play more conservatively and give the Dolphins a chance in this matchup.NegativeUsageOct 1, 2026
Running back's rushing prowess was evident against the Kansas City Chiefs, though with De'Von Achane out for the season, the question remains whether Willis will be used more in the run game or if Jaylen Wright will assume the primary role.PositiveUsageSep 29, 2026
Moved the ball on the ground well, picking up key yards for the Dolphins to extend drives; however, the source notes he is throwing into tight windows way too much and that all opponents have wide open guys while Dolphins players are easily covered at all times.PositiveProjectionSep 29, 2026
Malik Willis was sacked nine times through Miami's first two games (5 times against the Raiders in week one and 4 times against the 49ers in week two), but showed improvement in week three against the Chiefs with zero sacks allowed; the improvement was driven by better offensive line play, particularly from center Aaron Brewer.NegativeProjectionSep 29, 2026
Malik Willis will be negatively impacted by the loss of De'Von Achane. The source states that backup running backs Wright and Gordon "do not have the dynamic, explosive ability or pass-catching ability of Achane, which will likely hurt Malik Willis." However, the source also notes that "last season, no NFL quarterback was more accurate on deep passes than Malik Willis, albeit in a limited sample size," and that "Dolphins are going to need more from Malik Willis" to compensate for Achane's absence.NegativeRoleSep 29, 2026
Willis held the ball less this week and was flinging the ball more, but the source notes that with a couple exceptions, he was slow to process, made occasional poor decisions, and made inaccurate throws downfield; the source questions whether he was supposed to be a super-accurate long-ball thrower and concludes he's obviously not the solution.NegativeProjectionSep 29, 2026
Willis is starting to remind observers of Anthony Richardson—great athleticism and arm, but mechanics fall apart leading to inaccuracy; this is something that can be worked on, but hard to break bad habits when you're used to letting your arm make up for issues. Despite the O-line giving him time this week, he was slow to process, made occasional poor decisions, and made inaccurate throws downfield; he's obviously not the solution.NegativeRoleSep 28, 2026
Willis is attempting to play as a pocket passer to prove he can hold the Dolphins' starting position, standing tall and waiting for receivers to come open longer than he should. He needs to play instinctually—running when feeling pressure and getting out of the pocket—and must learn to throw the ball away instead of taking sacks; he ran himself out of bounds multiple times last week rather than throwing incomplete passes. The source expects more RPO play calling this week, but emphasizes the offense should run through De'Von Achane, with Willis keeping the ball instead of handing it off taking touches away from the runner.PositiveMatchupSep 25, 2026
Willis faces a Chiefs pass rush that is significantly less threatening than the elite edge rushers Miami has already encountered; the Chiefs have only 3 sacks on the season with 2 from the edge group, compared to the premier pass rushers like Nick Bosa and Maxx Crosby that Willis has already faced. The 49ers held Willis to only 2 sacks despite having Bosa, whereas the Chiefs' edge group (George Karlaftis III with 30.5 career sacks, Felix Anudike-Uzomah with 4 career sacks, Ashton Gillotte with 1.5 career sacks, and R. Mason Thomas with 1 sack) has not proven to be the same caliber of threat. Additionally, Willis' scrambling ability gives him an edge against the Chiefs' 39.4% blitz rate (5th in league), as a poorly timed blitz could allow Willis to escape to the edge and secondary; the source notes Willis possesses rushing ability that the two QBs the Chiefs have faced this season do not have.NegativeProjectionSep 25, 2026
QB Malik Willis has produced disappointing numbers in his first two starts with Miami, but the source indicates he clearly needs more help to turn things around, suggesting offensive support limitations rather than pure talent concerns.NegativeProjectionSep 24, 2026
Starting QB ranks 27th in NFL passer rating and 28th in ESPN QBR through Week 2; facing red zone struggles and looking for offensive solutions despite some improvements in first half of Week 2 49ers matchup; described as his own toughest critic.NegativeRoleSep 22, 2026
The source assesses that Malik Willis has not answered enough questions to prove he is the Dolphins' long-term quarterback solution. Despite having time remaining in the season, the source states it is now clear the Dolphins are not getting many, if any wins with Willis at quarterback, indicating limited confidence in his ability to lead the team to victories.PositiveProjectionSep 22, 2026
Willis had an arguably better stat line than reigning MVP Matthew Stafford against the same 49ers defense in their building; Stafford went 15-of-25, 155 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, a passer rating of 61.2, and a QBR of 37.5. Willis is making some inexperienced mistakes that need to be cleaned up—he ran out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage twice, which should be throwaways, and is missing some throws he should not miss. The box score says he was sacked 4 times, but only 2 of those were actual defenders getting him to the ground; the other two were self-inflicted mistakes. These are coaching moments and the offensive line struggles are contributing factors.NegativeProjectionSep 22, 2026
Willis graded inconsistent in the Dolphins' Week 2 loss to the 49ers, marking his second game in the new Malik Willis-Jeff Hafley-Jon-Eric-Sullivan era. The source notes that two games in, much of what made Miami fall to Las Vegas did not improve in an even worse loss to San Francisco, suggesting early concerns about Willis's performance and decision-making in the rebuilding offense.NegativeRoleSep 22, 2026
Multiple fan takes highlight Willis's accuracy and decision-making concerns. One fan notes Willis 'is not a game-changing QB who will carry a team on his shoulders. He's just not accurate enough, nor does he make decisions quickly enough.' Another fan observes that Willis 'holds on a little too long frequently' and questions whether this stems from receiver issues, hesitation, or a combination of both. A third fan states 'Malik is not a good QB, just cuz he can scramble and isn't injury prone like Tua, doesn't make Willis a good QB.' However, one fan notes Willis 'looked pretty good against run' and that the offense didn't turn the ball over.NegativeProjectionSep 21, 2026
The source is encouraged by Willis's running ability and arm talent, noting he can run (increasingly necessary in today's game) and has zip and accuracy on his passes. However, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown in two games is underwhelming; durability for a full NFL season remains a key question for determining if he's a true No. 1 quarterback.PositiveRoleSep 21, 2026
Willis threw his first touchdown pass as a Dolphins member on a 77-yard deep ball to Ryan Miller late against the 49ers, demonstrating the vision that led GM Jon-Eric Sullivan to sign him to a three-year deal in the offseason; despite limited weaponry beyond De'Von Achane, Willis's mobility is propping up the offense against a dominant 49ers defense that generated four sacks.NegativeProjectionSep 21, 2026
Dolphins starting QB Malik Willis delivered an inconsistent performance in Week 2 loss to 49ers, graded poorly by the source; part of the early Malik Willis-Jeff Hafley-Jon-Eric-Sullivan era that has started 0-2 with limited offensive success despite moving the ball effectively in the first half before collapsing in the second half of a 35-13 defeat.NegativeProjectionSep 20, 2026
Starting quarterback in his second start with the Dolphins; threw for 220 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT in his debut against Las Vegas Raiders; will look to improve upon that performance in Week 2 matchup against 49ers.NegativeInjurySep 20, 2026
Dolphins QB Malik Willis listed on the Week 2 injury report with a toe injury; status listed as questionable/probable (—).