RADIO
De'Von Achane Set to Star in a Run-Heavy Offense
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane is lined up for a massive workload as the Dolphins turn to Malik Willis as their starting quarterback and Bobby Slowik as offensive coordinator. The team is expected to lean heavily on the run game, with Achane and Willis both getting plenty of chances to run the ball. Achane agreed to a four-year extension this past offseason worth $68 million after running for 1,350 rushing yards last season. He averaged an NFL-high 5.7 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns, and as the focus of the team's offense, he has both a high floor and a high ceiling since he should get so much volume. Achane is the No. 6 RB in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, and this favorable matchup against the Raiders should give us a better idea of what to expect from the Dolphins' new-look offense. With Achane featured in the middle of the action, he is a strong RB1 out of the gate this year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Willis Is a Solid Start in Two-QB Leagues
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis is ready to make his first start for his new team as the Dolphins kick off their first season under head coach Jeff Hafley with a road game in Las Vegas. Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason and will replace Tua Tagovailoa as the team's starter this season. Willis played with the Packers, where Hafley was Defensive Coordinator, for the last two seasons, and the offense is expected to rely heavily on his rushing ability in a ground-focused attack. Willis does have upside since he brings so much rushing potential, and he brings a very high ceiling in a favorable matchup against the Raiders' defense. In Week 1, Willis is the No. 19 QB in RotoBaller's rankings, making him a solid second QB in dual-quarterback leagues but a reach to start in most single-QB formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dolphins D/ST Can Be a Streaming Option vs. the Raiders
The Miami Dolphins' defense and special teams unit will have real streaming upside as a top-10 unit in Week 1, when they visit the Raiders in Las Vegas. Last season, the Dolphins ranked in the middle of the pack with 39 sacks and 20 takeaways. They added cornerback Chris Johnson in the first round of the NFL Draft and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in the second round, giving them some good young talent alongside pass rushers Chop Robinson, Zach Sieler, and Josh Uche. The Raiders were the best matchup in the NFL for D/ST last season, and even with Kirk Cousins now leading the offense, the Dolphins should be in a favorable spot to make some plays. They aren't a week-to-week starting option, but for this matchup, they check in as the No. 9 DST in RotoBaller's rankings, meaning they can be a solid plug-and-play option from the waiver wire because of the matchup in Vegas.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Bell Looks Good Heading into His First Career Start
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell fell to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft and missed most of his first training camp while rehabbing from the ACL tear that ended his collegiate career, but since his return, he has made headlines with his instant acclimation to the Dolphins offense. Bell has already been named a starter for Miami's season-opening matchup with the Raiders, and on Friday, beat reporter Joe Schad shared that he stood out during the media accessible portion of practice, catching passes in the end zone from quarterback Malik Willis. Bell saw action in only one preseason game, but he was targeted five times in roughly 10 minutes of game action, as the team wasted no time getting him up to speed. As RotoBaller's WR74 for Week 1, he's a difficult play given the unknowns and the low expectations surrounding Miami's offense. Still, for fantasy managers already coming into Sunday as heavy underdogs, he represents a big swing who could be featured heavily in his first career game against a less-than-formidable opponent.
Source: Joe Schad
Source: Joe Schad
Chris Bell Still Working to Regain His Conditioning
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell said he's "about 80-85 percent back as far as conditioning," per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Bell suffered a torn ACL last November that ended his final collegiate season prematurely. The 22-year-old was able to return to game action in the preseason and is expected to play in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, it appears Bell may not be all the way back to 100% in all facets of the game right away. With the Dolphins lacking established high-end pass-catchers, Bell has a chance to play a high-volume role in Miami's passing game as a rookie. Fantasy managers may want to temper their expectations for Bell as he gets his legs underneath him, but he's a worthy stash candidate for his season-long upside.
Source: Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Source: Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Caleb Douglas Could Be Poised for Heavy Usage in Miami
A third-round pick out of Texas Tech in the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas could have a chance to play a significant role in his team's offense right away. The Dolphins appear to have plenty of targets and playing time available on the outside, as underwhelming veterans Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington are the team's most experienced wide receivers. Douglas also drew positive reviews for his work in training camp and then saw minimal usage throughout the preseason, which could indicate that the team is planning to feature him heavily once the regular season begins. The Dolphins' passing game has plenty of question marks to open the year in quarterback Malik Willis' first season as the team's starter, so fantasy managers may not want to rely on Douglas for immediate production. Still, Douglas' season-long upside makes him a worthy stash target going into Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington Gets His Shot in Miami's Starting Lineup
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington enters 2026 with a much better opportunity than he had a year ago. Miami's current depth chart lists him with the first-team offense alongside Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, giving Washington a real chance to turn a part-time role into something more useful for fantasy. He caught 46 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns last season and also added 110 rushing yards and another score on 17 carries. The receiving efficiency was modest, but the situation around him has changed. Washington also built some chemistry with new starting quarterback Malik Willis during camp, including multiple downfield connections and a late-camp touchdown. Being listed with the starters doesn't guarantee a big target share, especially with Douglas and Bell both pushing for work. Still, Washington has moved from rotational depth into a legitimate starting opportunity. If the routes and targets follow, his fantasy value could rise quickly.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Bell to Start Week 1 Without a Pitch Count
After missing most of training camp and the preseason as he worked his way back from the ACL injury that ended his collegiate career, Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell has been listed as a Week 1 starter, and head coach Jeff Hafley told the media on Wednesday that he will not be limited by a pitch count. Bell appeared in the Dolphins' final preseason game and was targeted five times in roughly 10 minutes of game time, and along with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas, he has earned a spot in the season-opening lineup when Miami faces the Raiders on Sunday. "We believe those guys deserve to start, and we're gonna start them," Hafley told reporters. A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, there is a belief Bell would have gone significantly earlier if not for the injury, and in a Dolphins offense in search of playmakers to complement running back De'Von Achane, the 22-year-old wideout has arguably the highest ceiling and should be viewed as the Miami receiver to roster for fantasy.
Source: Marcel Louis-Jacques
Source: Marcel Louis-Jacques
Chris Bell Has a Clear Path to Major Role in Miami
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell is a high-upside option to target late in drafts and on the waiver wire this season. In his senior season at Louisville, Bell had 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. Bell was drafted in the third round and would've gone much higher if not for a torn ACL in the 2025 season. The rookie receiver has recovered at a tremendous pace and played in the team's final preseason game, a positive sign for his Week 1 outlook. He was listed as a starter on the team's Week 1 depth chart alongside Malik Washington and fellow third-round rookie Caleb Douglas. While he shouldn't be a starting player in fantasy this week, he offers immense upside, as the climb to the top of the depth chart is not too crowded.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Willis Could Offer Late-Round Value
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis will get a chance to show what he can do against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. The 27-year-old will get an opportunity to be a full-time starter after playing sparingly throughout his first four seasons in the league. The Dolphins haven't set Willis up for success with one of the worst receiving rooms in the league. They have superstar running back De'Von Achane, but this offense will likely struggle no matter who is under center. Rotoballer currently has Willis ranked at QB20, but Willis has the potential to be better than that. Given his lack of viable targets, Willis could be asked to use his legs to pick up first downs. He might be worth a late-round gamble, with there being some upside of a dual-threat quarterback.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Bell Listed as Starting Receiver for Dolphins
On the Miami Dolphins' updated unofficial depth chart after final 53-man roster cuts, rookie wide receiver Chris Bell is listed as a starter alongside Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fantasy managers should always take depth-chart information with a grain of salt, but Bell will enter the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday with a key role in Miami's new-look offense led by quarterback Malik Willis. Bell had an eventful training camp this summer after initially opening on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to the ACL tear that he suffered in his final college season at Louisville in 2025. He looked good in his lone preseason performance and will have an opportunity to produce right away in his first year in the NFL in the shallowest WR corps in the NFL. Bell is still a better bench stash in dynasty/keeper leagues for his long-term upside, but if he has a bigger role than expected on offense early in the season, he could quickly become a priority waiver-wire target in deeper single-year leagues. He is currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Caleb Douglas Brings a High Ceiling from the Waiver Wire
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas had a strong showing in training camp and the preseason, and the rookie has the potential to be the team's top receiver this season. After trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, the Dolphins will count on Douglas, Malik Washington, and Jalen Tolbert as their expected starters. Douglas was a third-round pick out of Texas Tech and brings big-play potential, as he showed with highlight-reel catches throughout the preseason. He may be held back by the run-heavy Dolphins' offense with QB Malik Willis under center, but since he could develop into the team's No. 1 receiver by midseason, he definitely has the upside to be a fantasy factor. If you can stash him off the waiver wire in deep leagues, he's one of the few options with such a large potential role so easily available. He's only the WR84 in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, so he isn't a flex option yet, but his later-season potential gives him intriguing upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ollie Gordon II Ditches No-Contact Jersey on Monday
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (ribs) was no longer wearing a red, no-contact jersey in practice on Monday, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Gordon, who is expected to enter the 2026 campaign this weekend as the RB3 in Miami behind De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, is heading in the right direction to be available for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, versus the Las Vegas Raiders on the road. However, with a limited role as the No. 3, fantasy managers cannot legitimately consider Gordon a starter on offense in fantasy lineups. The 22-year-old former sixth-round selection from Oklahoma State carried the ball 70 times for 199 yards (2.8 yards per tote) and three touchdowns in 17 games as a rookie, adding seven catches for 32 yards and one touchdown as a receiver in a rough Miami offense. Gordon is only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues and will not become a target off the waiver wire unless one of Achane or Wright misses time with an injury.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Greg Dulcich Profiles as Miami's Top Receiving Option in an Interesting Tight End Room
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich is the lone veteran in the room after the team drafted Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore in the 2026 NFL Draft and claimed rookie Justin Joly off waivers following his release from the Denver Broncos. In breaking down the position group in a recent appearance on NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov, Dolphins reporter Kyle Crabbs highlighted the early buzz already surrounding Kacmarek as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, while pointing out that Dulcich should work as the primary pass-catcher of the group. With Miami profiling as a run-first offense, Kacmarek has the potential to lead the team in tight end snaps. However, the prevalence of 12- and 13-personnel in today's NFL should still help Dulcich find the field regularly, and at RotoBaller's TE29, he has the chance to enter the streaming conversation early in the year as a reliable option in an offense looking for contributors outside of Pro Bowl running back De'Von Achane.
Source: Kyle Crabbs
Source: Kyle Crabbs
De'Von Achane Expected to See Another Significant Workload
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane touched the ball 305 times in 2025, and team beat reporter Kyle Crabbs believes another 300-plus touches are on the table again in Miami's new-look offense. Appearing on NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov on Monday, Crabbs acknowledged that the mobility of quarterback Malik Willis could cap Achane's targets after seeing 170 opportunities in the passing game over the past two seasons, but he believes the quality of targets could improve with more potential use out of the slot. Crabbs also profiles Miami as a run-heavy team, with Achane standing significantly above the rest of the team's runners, which include Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II. Achane is RotoBaller's RB11 and should be viewed as a locked-in RB1 option when the Dolphins travel to Vegas to face the Raiders in Week 1.
Source: Kyle Crabbs
Source: Kyle Crabbs
