The Miami Dolphins have signed Malik Willis as a potential starting quarterback, with few veterans firmly established in their positions. Key position battles are expected during training camp this summer.
Key points
Malik Willis signed as potential starting quarterback
Few veterans firmly established in starting roles
Key position battles expected during training camp
Veterans like Patrick Paul and Aaron Brewer likely to start
Competition will intensify in spring and summer
Mentioned in this story
Malik WillisQuinn EwersPatrick PaulAaron BrewerDe'Von AchaneChop RobinsonZach SielerKenneth GrantJordyn Brooks
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins signed Malik Willis to start and even though he hasn't officially been declared a starting quarterback, it would be a monumental upset if he were somehow beaten out by Quinn Ewers.
Few veterans are entrenched in their starting positions.
Breakdown: When healthy, Brents has been quite good. He just needs to stay healthy. Like Brents, Marshall has excellent athleticism and so those two are the favorites. Duck could be an option to start in the slot as he returns from a season-ending knee injury. Who starts opposite first-round rookie Chris Johnson? Baker, Bonner, Wilson and Austin are all competing for roster spots.
Breakdown: Tolbert, 27, had most of his career receiving yards in Year 3 of 4 with Dallas. Tiny Atwell, 26, also had his best season in 2024 and he could back up Malik Washington and/or be a specialty weapon. But watching how quickly rookies Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman develop could be fascinating. Miami will also hope to get Chris Bell (knee) back at some point this season.
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch against Utah Utes cornerback Blake Cotton (16) and linebacker Johnathan Hall (7) during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) is tackled by Utah Utes cornerback Smith Snowden (2) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas makes a catch against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) catches a touchdown against Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Therrian Alexander III (1) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas runs after a catch against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Nov 1, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch and runs for extra yards during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) does a flip during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch against Utah Utes cornerback Blake Cotton (16) and linebacker Johnathan Hall (7) during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
1 / 12
Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch against Utah Utes cornerback Blake Cotton (16) and linebacker Johnathan Hall (7) during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) is tackled by Utah Utes cornerback Smith Snowden (2) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Oct 25, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
4 / 12
Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas makes a catch against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) catches a touchdown against Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Therrian Alexander III (1) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
7 / 12
Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas runs after a catch against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Nov 1, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
9 / 12
Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Nov 29, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Caleb Douglas (5) makes a catch and runs for extra yards during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
10 / 12
Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) does a flip during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Meet Caleb Douglas, receiver drafted by Miami Dolphins
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech wideout Caleb Douglas (WO19) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Breakdown: Savaiinaea was a major disappointment as a rookie at left guard, especially in pass blocking. Miami will try to salvage the second-round pick with a move to the right side. They might as well give him a relatively long leash. But Salyer is a veteran if he fails. And Campbell, the late-round rookie, is an intriguing option, too.
Breakdown: If Dodson is not cut or traded, he is in danger of losing his starting job to Rodriguez, the second-round rookie. Louis is also a middle linebacker but he can play some safety. The evental pairing of Jordyn Brooks (awaiting contract extension) and Rodriguez should be a lot of fun. Brooks is a nasty tackling machine. Rodriguez is an exciting playmaker.
Jacob Rodriguez stands with Joey and Debbie McGuire during Texas Tech's senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Jacob Rodriguez stands with Joey and Debbie McGuire during Texas Tech's senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Breakdown: Uche, 27, had 11.5 of his career 21.5 sacks in 2022. Ojabo has 4.5 sacks in four years. Rookies Moore and Llewellyn have a great chance to show what they can do opposite Chop Robinson. Miami needs pressure and they'll take it from anyone who proves capable.
