# Mike Florio: Florio says that despite the Dolphins' difficult cap situation, the foundation Malik Willis showed in the preseason opener gives Miami a chance to surprise people as early as this season.

**Claimed:** Aug 15, 2026
**Pundit:** Mike Florio — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-florio
**Outlet:** NBC Sports — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/nbc-sports
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/malik-willis-draws-positive-reviews-from-jeff-hafley-devon-achane

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in.

> But the signs are there of a new foundation that will give the Dolphins a chance to surprise people, as soon as this season.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Miami Dolphins to beat expectations**
  - Kind: Surprise Team Calls · About: Miami Dolphins
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/dolphins

## What others said about the same people

- Tyler DeSena on Kevin Coleman: DeSena expects Chris Bell to function as Miami's X-receiver, with Caleb Douglas as the deep-threat Z and Malik Washington in the slot, and considers Bell, Douglas, Washington and fifth-round rookie Kevin Coleman locks to make the 53-man roster. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cdf88974-3b99-4342-b7eb-bcf15f82379c (scored 100)
- Alain Poupart on Keith Cooper Jr.: Poupart's third 53-man roster projection of 2026 for the Dolphins names which players make the roster and which are cut at each position group. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/af1013eb-d6fa-476c-b1d9-bc977dff22a5 (scored 0)
- Mike Moraitis on Andre Jones Jr.: Moraitis expects Andre Jones Jr. to hold a spot on Miami's 53-man roster after being signed off Buffalo's practice squad, with a significant special teams role under coordinator Chris Tabor. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/aada599b-129d-4866-bc24-0562e28b735c (scored 100)
- Alain Poupart on Jalen Tolbert: Previewing the Dolphins' preseason finale and roster cutdown, Poupart states Malik Willis is locked in as the starting quarterback, Mark Gronowski is effectively gone, and identifies Greg Dulcich and Will Kacmarek as the only certainties at tight end while treating several receivers as settled roster locks. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ea9d4107-0a88-42a5-8300-186c4a38bef3 (scored 100)
- Alain Poupart on Chris Johnson: Poupart sorts the Dolphins roster into tiers ahead of the 53-man cutdown, naming 28 players as locks to make the roster and eight more as borderline locks who more than likely make it. He also expects Quinn Ewers to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Malik Willis, and says Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck will start the season on PUP. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8d4c251a-feb0-423c-ab57-3c49236782c0 (scored 100)
- Nick Shook on Olaivavega Ioane: Shook walks through his full first-round mock draft, assigning a prospect to every pick from No. 1 to No. 32, headlined by Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders, David Bailey to the Jets and Jeremiah Love to the Cardinals in the top three. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7d4209aa-2e2d-47a2-b6e5-791d16d209cb (scored 35.36)

## More surprise team calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Steven Ruiz on Houston Texans: Ruiz expects the Texans to repeat last year's turnaround, saying their defense and schedule will let them pile up wins and stay in the playoff race all season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/84c05549-aa98-4b8f-bd94-27488a1c96c5 (not settled)
- Henry McKenna on Houston Texans: McKenna picks the Texans as the 0-2 team most likely to recover, favoring them over the Buccaneers because he believes the AFC South is weaker than the NFC South. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7c64a8d3-6136-424d-96b2-bab3dc7d0345 (not settled)
- Greg Auman on Houston Texans: Auman names the Texans as the 0-2 team best positioned to turn their season around and get back into the playoff race, citing their history of slow starts and an elite defense. He also references his preseason pick of the Chargers to win the Super Bowl. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2750172c-b4c1-453e-be5a-b9fae156aa5b (not settled)
- Ben Arthur on Houston Texans: Arthur also lands on the Texans, arguing their defense will return to elite form and a soft upcoming stretch will get Houston's season back on track. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8131936c-517d-4816-b2be-3e5d5963c6e5 (not settled)
- Eric Williams on Los Angeles Chargers: Williams picks the Chargers as the 0-2 team to rebound, comparing it to the 2017 team that started 0-4 and finished 9-7, and suggests they will rise up on the road against Buffalo rather than collapse. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/57fe59dc-bfbb-44cb-8e4c-191db478fce2 (not settled)
- Ralph Vacchiano on Indianapolis Colts: Vacchiano picks the Colts over the Texans as the 0-2 team most likely to rebound, trusting their offense with Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor to keep them in the playoff race. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b89c2f84-25e6-4916-b297-fcb0e14c9ba7 (not settled)

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