Fantasy Football Target Practice: The 2026 Miami Dolphins
Welcome to the Island of Misfit Toys—I mean, the 2026 Miami Dolphins. Good luck projecting this passing game. Malik Willis is unproven, despite flashing for Green Bay in 2025. Worse, the WR room just lost Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle without replacing them. The only bright spot? De’Von Achane, whose stock is bound to rise.
This roster passes the smell test—if you like pungent, fine cheeses. Before you turn away from the 2026 Dolphins, consider whether they might be the ultimate delicacy on your fantasy charcuterie board. Let’s take a closer look.
1. The Macro View
This offseason stripped the Dolphins of nearly all fantasy appeal. The top WRs are gone, with no clear successors. Creative mastermind Mike McDaniel was shown the door. Even Tua Tagovailoa is a Falcon now, though replacing him under center might actually matter less than you think.
- Coaching Changes: Miami’s new staff feels like a total punt on 2026. Defensive HC Jeff Hafley projects a run-heavy drag, and OC Bobby Slowik is a mixed bag. Slowik peaked early with rookie C.J. Stroud before an ugly regression. His “Shanahan-lite” scheme uses the right framework but completely lacks the creative adjustments needed to actually scare defenses.
- New Signal Caller: Malik Willis parlayed a brief, flashing stretch filling in for Jordan Love into a massive 2026 opportunity. The Dolphins backed him with a three-year, $67.5 million contract ($45M guaranteed), with dead money hits of $45M and $39M locking him in for the next two seasons. Miami is heavily betting on upside, specifically the 85.7% completion rate Willis flashed across four games last year.
- Cloudy Target Picture: Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle left behind a massive 28% target share—roughly 134 to 171 targets. Yet despite the massive vacancy, Miami’s pass volume is set to tank. Expect HC Jeff Hafley to enforce a run-first, ball-control identity that limits overall target opportunities, making De’Von Achane the only real known commodity in the passing offense.
The Passing Pie: 486 Pass Attempts
The 2026 Dolphins mirror recent New York Jets teams. They will start run-heavy to protect Malik Willis, but when that fails, they will ramp up pass attempts to chase points. This frequent negative game script will force Bobby Slowik’s offense into standard West Coast mode: quick hitters designed to move the chains reliably.
These projections assume Malik Willis locks down the job for a full 17 games. They also factor in a distinct “Stars and Potential” shift, where Miami’s rookies outpace newly acquired veterans for early snaps. While this WR room is easily the league’s toughest to project, OTA buzz and a bit of tea-leaf reading provide insight into potential target distribution.
2. Target Beneficiaries: Capability X Infrastructure
Malik Washington – The Slot Focal Point
- Expected Role: Slot “Chess Piece”/Occasional “Z”
- 2026 Projection: 89 Tgts | 18.4% Tgt Share | 63 Recs | 667 rec yds | 6 TDs | 166.7 FPts
Malik Washington is Miami’s WR1 and it’s like nobody cares pic.twitter.com/BqWDV8W61u
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) June 4, 2026
The Optimism: Malik Washington is uniquely positioned to capture Miami’s target vacancy. His experience with the system gives him an immediate leg up over veteran additions in minicamp, earning glowing praise from De’Von Achane as the offseason’s biggest standout. Monitor his momentum in training camp, but the foundation is there. Having already run a variation of these Shanahan West Coast principles under Mike McDaniel, Washington is an effortless schematic fit for Bobby Slowik.
The Critique: Washington largely functioned near the line of scrimmage, with under-the-sticks usage making up 67.7% of his 2025 targets and 49.8% of his yards. While this will not cap his volume, it heavily dilutes target value. The film compounds these concerns. Operating primarily over the middle, Washington lacked the explosive, catch-to-upfield transition necessary to generate elite, fantasy-relevant YAC. Furthermore, rookie third-rounder Chris Bell looms as a major threat to his overall ceiling.
Chris Bell – The “Bully” X
- Expected Role: AJ Brown-Lite “X”
- 2026 Projection: 89 Tgts | 18.4% Tgt Share | 63 Recs | 667 rec yds | 6 TDs | 166.7 FPts
Louisville WR Chris Bell is headed to Miami 🌴
Malik Willis has his WR1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/P0SuJM3DfZ
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2026
The Optimism: Built like A.J. Brown, Chris Bell has the rare traits to shatter traditional Shanahan rules. If he reaches his ceiling, Slowik will not use him as mere “Gravity Well” bait—he will be a focal point in the intermediate passing game. Dolphins WRs coach Tyke Tolbert—who coached exemplars of route-running and toughness like Anquan Boldin and Steve Smith Sr.—is the architect to refine Bell’s release and hip fluidity. Even as a work in progress, Bell’s film-confirmed size, speed, and toughness are tailored to command targets.
The Critique: Bell is a rookie rehabbing a late-season ACL tear. If recovery delays drag into training camp, 2026 quickly becomes a “redshirt” year. Even upon debuting, Malik Washington‘s established leadership in the room hands Bell a steep uphill target climb. His ultimate floor remains terrifyingly low unless his play forces Bobby Slowik to expand the traditional Shanahan X blueprint. Let’s hope Miami adapts its scheme to the player, rather than forcing a square peg into a round hole.
Caleb Douglas – The Flanker
- Expected Role: Vertical Z
- 2026 Projection: 53 Tgts | 11.0% Tgt Share | 32 Recs | 480 rec yds | 3 TDs | 98 FPts
The Optimism: Caleb Douglas gives Miami an immediate vertical weapon. The third-round rookie boasts blazing 4.39 speed that translates directly to high-value downfield targets for fantasy managers. Expect Slowik to maximize his long speed on deep crossers and play-action drags, where out-leveraged cornerbacks stand zero chance of catching him. His efficiency is backed by tape, having wrapped up his Texas Tech career with a heavy 15.7 YPC baseline.
De’Von Achane – Explosive Backfield Mismatch
- Expected Roles: Primary ‘Move’ TE
- 2026 Projection: 81 Tgts | 16.6% Tgt Share | 64 Recs | 452 rec yds | 5 TDs | 139.2 FPts
Most rushes of 40+ yards since 2023:
1. De'Von Achane (12) pic.twitter.com/Yz22mGdood
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 22, 2026
The Optimism: We would be kidding ourselves if we didn’t consider Achane to be the centerpiece of the Dolphins’ offense and our fantasy rosters. Stacking this receiving production on top of the leader of 40+ yard rushes since 2023 feels like cheating, but because of this, he will be the highest-scoring Dolphin for fantasy this year. Achane’s explosiveness when targeted in space has as much house-call potential as the runs in the clip above. Do not overcomplicate this with the new QB, play-caller, coaching staff, or anything else. They know what they have, and the film and data are united in their message to us: if he is on the field, he will produce.
The Critique: It is really hard to identify a critical view of Achane’s pass-catching production in 2026, where it is directly related to his on-field play. Malik Willis, however, could impact Achane’s targets due to his propensity to break from the pocket. This tendency will rob Achane of the checkdown volume that he enjoyed with Tua Tagoviloa under center.
Greg Dulcich – Primary ‘Move’er
- Expected Roles: Primary ‘Move’ TE
- 2026 Projection: 50 Tgts | 10.2% Tgt Share | 34 Recs | 405 rec yds | 4 TDs | 98.5 FPts
The Optimism: Darren Waller’s exit leaves the primary TE role all to Greg Dulcich. Expect an immediate connection with Malik Willis, as the duo is actively building on the chemistry sparked at the 2022 Senior Bowl. TEs are a struggling QB’s best friend, and Dulcich’s 6’4” frame provides a massive safety valve compared to Malik Washington over the middle. He packs elite explosiveness, too—trailing only Tucker Kraft with a hefty 7.5 YAC per reception according to PFF.
The Critique: The chemistry they are building on is four years stale; there is no guarantee that they could rejuvenate this chemistry once real bodies begin flying around for real wins and losses. Let’s ensure we temper expectations for upside until we see something real in the first quarter of the season.
The Rest of the Passing Pie
Jalen Tolbert / Tutu Atwell — Rotational Role Players
- 2026 Projection: 53 Tgts | 11.0% Tgt Share | 32 Recs | 480 Rec Yds | 3 TDs | 98 FPts
- The Ballers’ projections are more optimistic, but neither asset possesses the high-end target-earning capability required to command a consistent weekly share. They project as volatile, TD-dependent depth pieces whose minimal fantasy footprint will rarely warrant a spot in your starting lineup.
Seydou Traore — Project Potential
- 2026 Projection: 25 Tgts | 5.2% Tgt Share | 15 Recs | 159 Rec Yds | 1 TD | 36.9 FPts
- Traore’s 9.42 RAS score and soccer goalie background present an intriguing profile, offering a massive catch radius with natural hand and ball-tracking skills in high-traffic areas. However, unrefined route running restricts his immediate integration into the offense, cementing him as a fantasy futures bet. He is an exceptional raw athlete worth monitoring, but redraft managers should expect minimal meaningful statistical contribution in 2026.
Seydou Traore is a TE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.42 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 87 out of 1471 TE from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/nIeXGP7VXb pic.twitter.com/efWCeM68KX
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 15, 2026
3. Target Projection Summary
| Player | Position | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Target Share (%) |
| Malik Washington | WR | 89 | 63 | 667 | 18.4% |
| De’Von Achane | RB | 81 | 62 | 452 | 16.6% |
| Chris Bell | WR | 72 | 49 | 667 | 14.8% |
| Caleb Douglas | WR | 53 | 32 | 480 | 11% |
| Rotational Players | Depth | 51 | 31 | 374 | 10.4% |
| Greg Dulcich | TE | 50 | 34 | 405 | 10.2% |
| Atwell / Tolbert (Split) | WR | 44 | 27 | 480 | 9% |
| Seydou Traore | TE | 25 | 15 | 159 | 5.2% |
| Ollie Gordon | RB | 21 | 15 | 69 | 4.4% |
| Total | — | 486 | 328 | 3753 | 100% |
4. The Fantasy Strategy
Malik Washington: He should be the target leader of the WR room, thus getting the bulk of the opportunities. Slowik’s creativity could boost his upside by making him a larger focal point. Washington will be a fair value in drafts at 42; this projection was good for WR39 in 2025. Summer hype may come, but the infrastructure will keep his dynasty price in check. Washington is a depth buy.
Chris Bell: For redraft, he is a dart throw, as many rookie WRs are. You may need to stash him, but be shrewd when it comes to deciding whether or not he is a roster clogger. Many dynasty drafts have come and gone, but if there is news of being ‘behind schedule’ during training camp, buy the dip if you can, and wait patiently as he emerges into an ‘X’ we can trust.
Caleb Douglas: A complete avoid, in redraft, but a worthwhile dart throw in Best Ball, just in case the film critiques are overblown. For dynasty, unless you have a deep bench or taxi squad spot to burn, it is not recommended to roster him.
De’Von Achane: If you know, you know. If you don’t, then it is simple. Buy Achane if you smell any fear in the dynasty manager related to the Dolphins’ infrastructure changes. Achane’s ADP has a smidge of value at 2.03 (RB8). For me, I prefer Achane over Kenneth Walker III, who is ahead of him at 2.01 (RB6). I know we want RBs on good offenses, but Achane’s opportunity gravity is an exception.
Greg Dulcich: I am a sucker for upside narratives. The rekindled chemistry, Slowik’s 12 personnel deployments, and a potential Kittle-style usage all make for a shot worth taking. Dulcich may be the perfect punt TE if you are ok falling back on a streaming strategy. If it works out, he is a dependable floor player for your roster. He is a throw-in target if I am trying to divest from a premium TE asset like Brock Bowers or Trey McBride to bolster other positions.