News

1. Oct 5
   Willis completed nine of 17 passes for 85 yards in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Vikings. He added 11 yards on two carries and lost a fumble.

   It was a miserable day for the Miami passing game against Brian Flores' defense, as Willis wasn't able to find receivers downfield — his longest completion went for just 17 yards to Malik Washington — or escape the pocket to do damage with his legs. Willis has produced just two TDs (one through the air, one on the ground) through four starts against four turnovers (two INTs and two lost fumbles) while completing just 56.3 percent of his passes, but there's been no suggestion the 0-4 Dolphins will make a switch at QB ahead of a Week 5 home tilt against the Bengals.

   RotoWire via ESPN
2. Sep 27
   Willis completed 20 of 36 passes for 210 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Chiefs. He also rushed nine times for 56 yards and lost a fumble.

   Willis led the team in rushing yards in a game starting running back De'Von Achane (knee) left in the first quarter. Achane could be facing a lengthy absence, which would further deplete a Dolphins offense that already lacks playmakers and entered Sunday's loss without wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) and backup running back Jaylen Wright (foot). Willis has yet to exceed 220 passing yards or produce a multi-touchdown performance for the Dolphins, though he has rushed for at least 39 yards twice in three games ahead of a Week 4 road game at Minnesota.

   RotoWire via ESPN
3. Sep 21
   Willis completed 14 of 23 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 35-13 loss to the 49ers. He also rushed twice for six yards.

   Willis unsurprisingly posted another modest passing total after throwing for 220 yards in his Dolphins debut against the Raiders, but he also failed to get anything going with his legs in Week 2 after rushing for 39 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 loss. A substantial chunk of Willis' production came on a 77-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Miller with 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. Miami doesn't have much experience in its wide receiver room, which got even thinner during Sunday's loss due to the second-half exit of rookie third-round pick Caleb Douglas (ankle). Willis and the Dolphins have been outscored 62-26 heading into a Week 3 home game against the Chiefs.

   RotoWire via ESPN
4. Sep 18
   Don't be surprised if … the Dolphins have a top-10 QB, the Vikings stick with Wentz

   Each week in the NFL is its own story — full of surprises, both positive and negative — and fantasy football managers must decide what to believe and what not to believe moving forward. Perhaps we can help. If any of these thoughts come true … don't be surprised! NOTE: All mention of fantasy points is for PPR formats, unless otherwise mentioned. Don't be surprised if … the Miami Dolphins finish with top-10 fantasy options at QB and RB Perhaps this does not seem like the best time to recommend any Dolphins in fantasy. After all, the Dolphins were not favored to win their Week 1 matchup on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders, and they may not be favored in any games this season. Other than an awesome running back who many have faded due to his circumstances, fantasy managers didn't exactly flock to the Dolphins. Many analysts were down on first-round pick RB De'Von Achane because of the mess around him. He was the lone Miami player rostered in more than 20% of ESPN standard leagues entering opening weekend, and he scored a disappointing 10.6 points in Week 1, seeming to prove the point that investing in him remains dangerous. Myriad anxious fantasy managers will rush to trade him this week for less value than he deserves. My take: Go get him, though within reason. Achane averaged a poor 3.3 yards per carry against the Raiders, but he fared worse in two games last season, each in the first five weeks. We like that Achane saw five targets, catching four. That means something. Achane's seasonlong ranking fell a bit, but mainly because others (Ashton Jeanty, Kenneth Walker III) rose. Achane remains in the top 10. The Dolphins hardly had good QB play last season (mostly Tua Tagovailoa) when Achane was one of five running backs to score 20 points per game. Meanwhile, running QB Malik Willis scored 16.7 points, a bunch coming on his 14-yard touchdown run to begin the second half. He is a legit runner. Fantasy managers underestimate the impact a running QB has. Remember, Justin Fields was fantasy's No. 6 QB in 2022. He won only three of 15 starts, threw for only 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns and he still outscored most quarterbacks for fantasy, including Tom Brady, who threw for 4,694 yards and 25 TDs. Michael Vick's 2006 Atlanta Falcons lost more than they won despite him rushing for a then-QB record of 1,039 yards. He was the No. 2 fantasy QB that season. The running really matters. It separates the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson into even bigger fantasy stars, and it is the reason why non-runners such as the Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford, Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow and Detroit Lions' Jared Goff must really pile up the passing numbers to compete for fantasy stardom. The Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts outscored Goff despite 1,340 fewer passing yards and nine fewer passing touchdowns. The running is why. Willis might not run for 1,000 yards or double-digit touchdowns, but he is going to run a lot and produce. He is so good at it. Take this rare opportunity to look positively at the Dolphins for fantasy not only because Achane will still be great and Willis is underrated, but because rookie WR Caleb Douglas had 94 yards in receiving and quickly has distinguished himself as fantasy relevant. His ascension is important news for Willis and Achane. Few expected Miami's passing game to thrive, and perhaps it might never, but Willis wasn't overwhelmed. There will be touchdown passes in his future … and touchdown runs. Most do not believe the Dolphins will beat the San Francisco 49ers this week. Perhaps it isn't a particularly close game, either. Hey, that can work statistically, too. The Dolphins might not win for a while but then again, that's not really our problem. As long as Willis is running and he has options to throw to, and the uber-talented Achane stays healthy, there is fantasy value on this squad. One more thing: You might be wondering, as I did, how many teams delivered the combi

   ESPN
5. Sep 14
   Fantasy football free agent pickups: Shough, Black, Coker highlight top options for Week 2

   Each Monday, before the current NFL week ends, we will identify players worthy of your attention available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues. Things change quickly for player valuation and roles each week in the NFL, and free agency is a critical way to acquire players. We are here to help! Top pickup options at every position Looking for the top recommendation at each skill position? Look no further! Here are the players to target heading into Week 2 Tyler Shough, QB, Saints (rostered in 46.7% of leagues): Shough, ranked 19th among quarterbacks in roster percentage, started slowly versus the Detroit Lions, then ended up skewering them for 23.2 PPR points. Yes, he had the aid of overtime and he didn't face a strong secondary. Still, that's 410 passing yards and three touchdowns. Week 2 at the Baltimore Ravens should be tougher. Shough merely continued his fine play from late in his rookie season, when he was a borderline QB1 option for fantasy during his nine starts. He might be underrated even in standard 10-team formats. Kaelon Black, RB, 49ers (15.4%): Black, the third-round pick from Indiana, looked excellent in the Week 1 rout of the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Black turned 15 touches into 70 yards and 8.0 fantasy points, while Christian McCaffrey scored 13.8 points on his 15 touches. Perhaps the 49ers only split the touches this way due to the unique circumstances, such as the lopsided score and/or the long travel. Perhaps Week 2 will see McCaffrey dominate the volume against the Miami Dolphins. Adding Black with the intention of expecting relevant fantasy numbers in Week 2 is folly. However, adding Black just in case it happens again, or McCaffrey — with a track record of injuries — gets hurt again? That makes sense. Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers (50.7%): Coker is just a tad on the other side of 50%, but he's worth bending our rules just a little bit. Coker, who finished last season strong and earned himself a three-year contract, was more productive with his nine targets — catching eight passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns — than his universally rostered teammate Tetairoa McMillan, who caught just five passes for 75 yards. This does not mean Coker will clearly outscore McMillan in Week 2, or for the month of September or the entire season. But it sure doesn't mean he won't, either. Coker and pals hit the road for Week 2 in Atlanta, where he should be on the field (even though he was seen wearing a boot on Monday) and the Panthers should be able to throw the football. Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals (1.5%): The oft-overlooked Gesicki caught 78 yards worth of passes, including a 2-yard touchdown grab. No Bengal surpassed him in receptions, receiving yards or targets. Plus, he caught the team's lone touchdown pass. That should not continue, obviously, with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins healthy. Still, Gesicki, 30, was a relevant fantasy option as recently as two seasons ago, when he caught 65 passes. He might be relevant again. Other quarterbacks Jordan Love, Packers (42.2%): Love probably deserves a bit more, um, love in fantasy leagues, but there is also a reason 19 other passers are more popular. Love fell short of 3,400 passing yards in both of the past two seasons and he is barely a factor in the running game, with only one rushing touchdown over that span. Do not overrate his performance (387 passing yards) versus the Minnesota Vikings or assume the Packers consistently will throw more with RB Josh Jacobs absent. Malik Willis, Dolphins (21%): A dynamic runner, Willis scored more than half his fantasy points in Week 1 via his legs, with 39 rushing yards and a touchdown. Miami's passing game did not impress, but if Willis continues to run — and he should — a potential QB1 option lurks. Bryce Young, Panthers (11.1%): Young eclipsed 300 passing yards three times in his first 44 NFL starts, so the fact he did so in Sunday's loss to the lopsided Chicago Bears (all offense, no defense) is relevant but not necessa

   ESPN

Injury reports

League history

Nothing yet: he hasn’t been drafted, signed, traded or cut in this league.