RADIO
Chris Bell Still Needs to Get into Football Shape
Miami Dolphins rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Bell played 14 offensive snaps in the team's preseason finale last Friday and caught two of his five targets for 22 yards as he closes out his rehab from a torn ACL. However, head coach Jeff Hafley said Bell is still working his way back, saying, "I think he would tell you he needs to continue to get in football shape," according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. "If he continues to improve, get in shape, then my expectation is we see him on the field," Hafley added. It sounds as though the 22-year-old has a chance to be active as a part of the offense in Week 1 of the regular season in an offense that has one of the thinnest WR depth charts in the league. Bell is competing primarily with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas for the WR3 role behind Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert, so he has a prime chance for rookie-year targets from new Dolphins QB Malik Willis. Bell can likely be avoided in 12-team fantasy leagues, but with opportunity and likely positive game script most weeks, he could quickly emerge as a trendy waiver-wire pickup if he continues to ascend and build trust with Willis.
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Kyle McCord Confirmed as Dolphins QB2
The Miami Dolphins traded for quarterback Kyle McCord on Sunday, sending a 2028 sixth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers, and on Tuesday head coach Jeff Hafley confirmed that McCord would serve as the team's second quarterback. McCord was a sixth-round pick of the Eagles in 2025 who signed a reserve/futures contract with the Packers in January and performed well in three 2026 preseason games. Hafley and Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan both arrived in Miami from Green Bay, so McCord faces less of a learning curve in his transition, and he will begin the year backing up former Packer Malik Willis. The Dolphins traded away Quinn Ewers on Sunday and are one of the league's few teams to begin the year with only two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster.
Source: Joe Schad
Source: Joe Schad
Brady Cook Claimed by Dolphins
Quarterback Brady Cook has been claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins, according to Tom Pelissero. Cook joins a quarterback room that changed quickly over the weekend. Miami traded Quinn Ewers to Jacksonville on Saturday, then acquired Kyle McCord from Green Bay on Sunday to back up starter Malik Willis. Cook brings some actual NFL starting experience after appearing in five games and making four starts for the Jets last season. He completed 88 of 153 passes for 739 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 49 rushing yards. New York kept only Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik on its initial 53-man roster, leaving Cook on waivers. Miami now adds the 24-year-old behind Willis and McCord. There is no immediate fantasy value here, but Cook gives the Dolphins another quarterback with regular-season experience after a busy few days reshaping the position.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Justin Joly Claimed by Dolphins
Tight end Justin Joly has been claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins from the Denver Broncos, according to Mike Klis. Denver traded up to select Joly 152nd overall in April, but the fifth-round rookie was waived Sunday during final cuts. He did leave the Broncos with one big preseason highlight, catching an 88-yard touchdown against Minnesota in the finale. Joly finished August with five receptions for 105 yards and one score. The 22-year-old caught 49 passes for 489 yards and seven touchdowns at NC State last season and was viewed coming out of college as a movable receiving tight end who could work from several alignments. Miami initially kept Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek, Ben Sims and Seydou Traore at the position, so Joly joins another crowded group. Dulcich remains the most established receiving option, leaving Joly without an obvious immediate fantasy role, but Miami gives the rookie another developmental opportunity after his brief stay in Denver.
Source: Mike Klis
Source: Mike Klis
De'Von Achane the Focal Point of Miami's Offense Going Forward
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane should be the primary playmaker on offense this season. Miami parted ways with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Tua Tagovailoa during the offseason, leaving Achane as the only returner from an offense that has featured some star power in recent years, despite underperforming. Miami also ushered in this fresh start with a new head coach, new general manager, and new quarterback. The new signal-caller for Miami is Malik Willis, who has a fair arm but makes a much bigger impact with his ability to run the football. The Dolphins have a pretty weak receiver room, so we expect them to emphasize running the football with Willis and Achane this year. Head coach Jeff Hafley previously said that Achane could get 40+ touches in a game this year, and while that comment was clearly an exaggeration, it's also evident that the Dolphins aren't going to place any restrictions on his workload. We do envision him consistently getting at least 20-25 touches per game, and given his speed and receiving upside, he should emerge as one of the lone bright spots in this otherwise underwhelming Miami offense. Touchdowns may be harder to come by in Miami this season, but we're still banking on Achane as a mid-range RB1 option in redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dolphins Acquire Quarterback Kyle McCord From the Packers
The Miami Dolphins acquired quarterback Kyle McCord from the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round pick, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The move comes after the Dolphins sent QB Quinn Ewers to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday and waived Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski. The 23-year-old McCord, a sixth-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025 from Syracuse, will become the primary backup to another former Packers QB, Malik Willis. McCord has yet to take a snap in the NFL in a regular-season game, but he did look good in the preseason with Green Bay, throwing for 446 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in three games played. With the move to South Beach, McCord is now one step away from becoming a starter in the NFL if Willis misses time with an injury.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chris Bell Leads Dolphins in Targets on Friday, Set for Key Role in Miami?
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell saw his first preseason action on Friday, recording two catches for 22 yards on five targets in his team's 17-12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. A third-round pick out of Louisville, Bell missed all of the spring and the beginning of training camp while working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered last November. However, the Dolphins activated him in mid-August, and it now appears he should be ready for the start of the regular season. Bell was a highly productive player in college, hauling in 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games before getting hurt last season. Miami also traded away veteran wideout Tutu Atwell to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, which could clear the way for Bell to play a starting role early in his rookie year. As a late-round sleeper, Bell could be a worthy target for fantasy managers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Dolphins Acquire Running Back Jarquez Hunter From Rams
The Miami Dolphins are acquiring running back Jarquez Hunter from the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday in exchange for wide receiver Tutu Atwell, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hunter was selected 117th overall in the fourth round in the 2025 NFL draft by the Rams out of Auburn, but he did not see any usage on offense during his first year in the league. The 23-year-old also saw limited action on special teams. Hunter showed good burst and speed out of the backfield in college, but he has never been much of an asset on passing downs, which will limit his long-term upside with his move to South Beach. In Miami, he will not have much of a clearer path to touches in 2026, as he'll likely be the Dolphins' No. 4 option behind starter De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and Ollie Gordon II (ribs). Hunter will now have to learn a new offense with time running out before the start of the regular season. At best, he is a dynasty/keeper stash for RB depth. Hunter can be ignored in single-year fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Tutu Atwell Heads Back to Rams in Trade
The Los Angeles Rams are acquiring wide receiver Tutu Atwell from the Miami Dolphins on Thursday in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Atwell was being listed as a second-team wideout in Miami in training camp despite their utter lack of depth at the position, so they have traded the 26-year-old back to the Rams in exchange for extra RB depth in Hunter. Atwell was a second-round pick by the Rams in 2021 out of Louisville, and he caught 105 of his 179 targets for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns in his five years with the team. In 10 games last season, Atwell caught just six passes for 192 yards and one score after going for a career-high 562 yards and 42 receptions (zero touchdowns) in 17 games in 2024. Back in L.A., Atwell re-enters a familiar offense, but he will have a tougher path to targets unless one or both of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams miss time with injuries. He will be competing with Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield for scraps behind Nacua and Adams and will not be on the redraft fantasy radar with the move back to the Rams.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Malik Washington Strengthening His Hold on a Starting Role
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has strengthened his redraft outlook by holding onto a prominent role in one of the NFL's most unsettled receiving corps. Washington opened the preseason with Miami's first-team offense against the Commanders and caught all three of his targets for 15 yards, including receptions on the Dolphins' first two offensive plays. He did not play against the Giants on Saturday, but Miami's current depth chart still lists him as a starter alongside Caleb Douglas and Jalen Tolbert. Washington also brings useful returning production after catching 46 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns last season, while adding 110 rushing yards and another score on 17 carries. The ceiling remains uncertain. Washington averaged only 6.9 yards per reception in 2025, Douglas has been one of Miami's better camp performers, and Chris Bell is now back in team drills. Still, Washington has done enough to remain near the front of the receiver rotation entering the final week of the preseason. RotoBaller's half-PPR rankings list him as WR81, and his combination of first-team usage and short-area volume makes him a reasonable late-round target in deeper redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Wright Pulling Ahead in Miami's RB2 Battle
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright is pushing ahead in the battle to back up De'Von Achane, giving his redraft outlook a late-August boost. With Achane out of Saturday's preseason game against the Giants, Wright started and handled every snap on Miami's opening drive, then played 12 of the team's first 16 offensive snaps before Ollie Gordon II took over. The results were ugly, as Wright managed nine yards on six carries and lost a fumble, but Miami kept him in the game afterward. The 5-foot-10, 208-pound back also has a useful workload sample on his résumé. When Achane left Week 14 last season with a rib injury, Wright carried 24 times for 107 yards and a touchdown while Gordon saw only five attempts. Miami's first unofficial depth chart had Wright ahead of Gordon, and the preseason rotation has backed that up. Gordon's recent rib issue should not be overstated after head coach Jeff Hafley said he could have returned in a regular-season game. Wright still has limited standalone appeal behind Achane, but he's increasingly looking like Miami's preferred insurance back and a worthwhile late-round target in deeper redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Tolbert Losing Appeal as a Late-Round Redraft Pick
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jalen Tolbert looked like a reasonable late-round flier when camp opened because Miami had no established pecking order at receiver. That case has weakened. Tolbert did not play on Miami's 14-play opening drive in the preseason opener against Washington, with Malik Washington and rookie Caleb Douglas handling most of the first-team work and Jalen Reagor joining them in three-receiver sets. Tolbert later caught one of three targets for 27 yards. Douglas has been one of Miami's camp standouts and is listed with the starters, while fellow third-round rookie Chris Bell (knee) has now shed his non-contact jersey and is expected to play in the preseason finale. Tolbert is not out of the picture. He caught a 15-yard touchdown from Malik Willis in Monday's practice and remains a strong bet to make the roster. Still, the competition is getting tougher for a veteran whose production fell from 49 catches for 610 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 to 18 catches for 203 yards and one score last season. RotoBaller's updated half-PPR top 400 has Tolbert 248th overall. He is looking more like a deep-league dart throw than a standard redraft target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
De'Von Achane Bringing Consistency to New-Look Dolphins Offense
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane was one of the few holdovers of a near-total offseason overhaul to the team's starting offense, and unsurprisingly, he has been one of Miami's most consistent performers throughout training camp, according to team writer Travis Wingfield. In the Dolphins' penultimate practice of camp on Tuesday, Achane successfully led the starting unit with a handful of explosive runs, and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was later asked what he likes about the team's run game. "The versatility of what our personnel allows us to do," he said. "You can get on the perimeter; you can get on the edge... You can do stuff with [Malik Willis] in the run game. Obviously, [Achane] has speed to get to the edge. He can hit it up in the middle as well." The only running back in the NFL to score double-digit fantasy points in every one of his games in 2025, Achane is once more expected to be the focal point of the Dolphins' offense, and he is RotoBaller's RB11.
Source: Travis Wingfield
Source: Travis Wingfield
Chris Bell Could Play in Preseason Finale
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) could play in the team's preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Bell is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in November of last season. The third-round pick was activated from the Non-Football-Injury list on August 17th and has ramped up so quickly that he could play Friday night. In his senior season at Louisville, Bell had 67 receptions for 871 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games before tearing his ACL. If he suits up against the Falcons, it would be a strong sign he will be ready for Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. With fellow rookie Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington as the two current starters, Bell has a legitimate opportunity to lead this offense in receiving this season.
Source: Marcel Louis-Jacques - ESPN
Source: Marcel Louis-Jacques - ESPN
Malik Willis Making Visible Progress
The Miami Dolphins kicked off their final week of training camp practices on Monday, and after a summer of focus on fundamentals and technique, the progress made by quarterback Malik Willis was notable, according to team writer Travis Wingfield. During a short and rainy session, Willis impressed with his ability to get the ball out on time and in rhythm, showing continued development that only adds to his late-round fantasy appeal. On a small sample size of three career starts and some extended relief work with the Packers and Titans, Willis has been among the league's most efficient rushing quarterbacks, and if he can continue to progress as a passer, he possesses one of the highest fantasy ceilings to be found at the end of drafts. Currently coming off the board as the QB21, Willis has the ability to rack up points in a hurry and is a player who should not escape the final rounds of single-quarterback drafts.
Source: Travis Wingfield
Source: Travis Wingfield
