Kevin Szafraniec outlines the positive and negative impact that Malik Willis can bring to Miami after the Dolphins signed the free-agent quarterback to be their 2026 starter.
Rarely do we see developmental quarterbacks pan out at the NFL level. Therefore, it is understandable when fans and analysts remain skeptical of signal callers who string together impressive performances across a small sample. But in today’s QB-starved NFL, showing even a little bit of promise can go a long way. And when a QB shows us glimpses of elite upside, there are bound to be at least a few franchises willing to take a chance on them.
We are currently seeing the most recent instance of this scenario play out in Miami, after the Dolphins awarded Malik Willis a three-year, $67.0M contract despite having only six career starts on his resume. While Willis’ athletic potential has long been known in NFL circles, he finally appeared to put everything together during an abbreviated late-season run as Green Bay’s starter in 2025.
Can Willis carry over his effectiveness into his role as a full-time starter, or is he destined to become another cautionary tale demonstrating why teams should not be quick to hand out big-money deals following small-sample success?
Be sure to check out the rest of our series on the top landing spots from free agency!
- Will DJ Moore Push Buffalo Over the Top in 2026?
- Signing Kenneth Walker was Step 1 in the Chiefs’ Rebuilding Plan
- Wan’Dale Robinson Could Be the Key to Unlocking Cam Ward’s Evolution
- Can Isaiah Likely Rekindle His Early-Career Hype in New York?
Volume 2 of the 2026 RotoViz Rookie Draft Guide is out now! Jam-packed with comprehensive player profiles, advanced stats, player comps, strategies, and rankings from the RotoViz staff, it is a must-have for every fantasy manager who wants to crush their best ball, dynasty, and redraft leagues in 2026!
Keep an eye out for Volume 3, which will drop after the 2026 NFL Draft!
