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Following a 7-10 record in 2025, the Miami Dolphins underwent a major teardown after releasing several veterans during the offseason.
Now, many inexperienced players will look to develop under first-year coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Because of that, ESPN's Tyler Fulghum believes Miami will finish with the fewest wins in the NFL in 2026.
"Miami enters 2026 in full rebuild mode after overhauling its coaching staff, front office and much of its core roster," Fulghum wrote. "With an inexperienced quarterback, limited offensive firepower and an unproven defensive-minded head coach, the Dolphins own one of the league's lowest projected win totals. Their schedule is not the hardest on paper, but their roster certainly looks like the least talented on paper. The organization may actually be best served punting on this season while trying to load up assets for what is expected to be a very good 2027 draft class, making +350 to lead the NFL in losses appealing."
After moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins lack proven playmakers on offense. They will hope Malik Willis can revive his career in a new location the way Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield did.
Miami still has Pro Bowl running back De'Von Achane, who is coming off a career-high 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also led the Dolphins in receiving, recording 67 catches for 488 yards and four touchdowns.
De'Von Achane carries the Dolphins' offense
The Dolphins may need Achane to become an even bigger focal point of their offense this season because projected starting receivers Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell have combined for just 63 career starts.
Miami also has the second-hardest strength of schedule this season, trailing only the Arizona Cardinals. Its 2026 opponents had a combined .542 winning percentage last season. The Dolphins will face the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, both of whom made the playoffs last year, twice each.
The best-case scenario for the Dolphins is that Willis proves he can be a franchise quarterback while the team identifies several building blocks for the future. If he does not, Miami could find itself in a position to potentially select Texas quarterback Arch Manning in the 2027 NFL Draft.
