MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins are preparing for upcoming home joint practice on Thursday, Aug. 20 and preseason game on Saturday, Aug, 22 with the New York Giants.
First-year coach Jeff Hafley has tried to set a tone of toughness, accountability and effort.
Quarterback Malik Willis is trying to make the most of an opportunity to start.
And 13 draft picks are working to catch up to speed to play right away, notably Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez and Caleb Douglas.
Miami Dolphins training camp mailbag
Q: Do you feel Malik is the guy long term? He could be successful even if we had a bad record, what’s your take? - Trent_Arnold
Joe: It's too early say definitively is Malik Willis is going to be Miami's long-term quarterback. But we can say definitively he's got a shot.
Strong arm. Mobile. Accurate on the move. He's gaining comfort and confidence with each practice. Look, the Dolphins could finish 4-13 and it's still possible Willis could show enough to give GM Jon-Eric Sullivan pause about drafting a quarterback with a Top 3 pick. It's possible.
Q: Hey Joe, Do you think Kyle Louis will play more freelance safety or is more slotted as a OLB? Love his skill set. - Zanerofcourse2
Joe: I think Kyle Louis is going to play inside linebacker and outside linebacker and free safety and strong safety and anywhere else coach Jeff Hafley decides to use him as a chess piece. He can cover. He can blitz. He can tackle. Miami has more depth and talent at linebacker than safety which is why it makes sense for Miami to give Louis an extended look at safety, too. The best part is nobody can say anything about this for sure.
Miami Dolphins LB Kyle Louis is so versatile he can even play safety.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 17, 2026
Louis likes that Jeff Hafley moves players around. pic.twitter.com/9QQN2Q2pds
Q: Hey Joe…Do you think having a weak or inconsistent backup quarterback can negatively affect the development of rookie receivers, particularly their route timing, confidence, and ability to build chemistry within the offence?…thanks! - goldenjeff72
Joe: This is a very interesting question I hadn't thought much about. Yes, second- and third-string receivers can be hurt by poor backup play, in the same way we have seen both lift each other in past scenarios. I have seen Quinn Ewers improve and I know he's capable of practicing and playing better than he has in recent weeks. That said, there's no reason to exclude the possibility of Miami adding a quarterback before the season starts.
Q: Hey Joe, I’m optimistic about the future of our OLine , I know GM Sullivan is a fan of controlling both sides of the line of scrimmage, how do you see our D Line shaping up, specifically our pass rushers - Nando_tostones
Joe: I've been impressed by the step forward taken by second-year defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers. I think outside linebacker/defensive end Chop Robinson has a shot at 7-10 sacks. It's hard to say where Miami is going to find enough sacks in 2026, to be honest. Miami head coach and defensive play-caller Jeff Hafley is going to have to scheme up some creative blitzes at unexpected moments to get to the quarterback.
Q: First off.. Hi. I'm Ryan I created and run Miami Dolphins United (An Official Miami Dolphins Fan Club) The question I've been getting the most is.. Will we be adding a starter through 53 cut down or a trade etc? Lot of players will be cut through out the NFL and some will be on the trade block.Or do think what we have now are our starters? - Ryan Lloyd via The Daily Dolphin on Facebook
Joe: What an interesting question. It's likely the Dolphins will continue to scour cuts and practice squads for players at defensive end, guard, safety, cornerback and perhaps backup quarterback. But Miami probably has their top players at those positions. I think that Miami is looking for, Ryan, is the next Zach Sieler. Who is another team not valuing enough? Who can be a 22-to-25-year-old hidden gem? Miami figures to churn it's roster in a manner similar to how they did in 2019. They'll keep looking and looking... and hoping.
Q: Assuming Willis plays well or competently, do you still see the team drafting a QB in rounds 1-2 in the loaded 2027 draft? - Preston Collense via The Daily Dolphin on Facebook
Joe: It is possible the Dolphins could use a Top 3 pick on quarterback in 2027 even if Willis plays very well. It is possible Willis could be Top 12 in passer rating, total yards and yards per attempt, and they could still draft a quarterback. Everyone knows that. Including Willis, surely. This is not a knock on Willis. The value of an elite rookie quarterback on a rookie contract cannot really even be measured. It's by far the best thing a rebuilding team can have. But we will not eliminate the possibility Miami even extends Willis after this season and drafts dynamic receiver Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State and Miami Gardens. Let's see how it plays out. If Willis is Miami's guy, a receiving corps of Smith-Chris Bell-Caleb Douglas could be appealing, no?
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins training camp mailbag: Malik Willis or draft a new QB?
