Four Downs: Malik Willis, Patrick Paul & a Dolphins Trade to Watch

The Dolphins’ 2026 season is quickly approaching. As Dolphins fans know, this will be a complete rebuild for the team. Since wins will likely be fewer than we would like, I think it is important for this first column to focus on other key aspects of the franchise.

1st Down: Patrick Paul Needs to Take the Next Step

This is a big season for Patrick Paul.

Paul is entering his third NFL season, and he will be eligible for a contract extension after the season. That makes 2026 an important year for the young offensive tackle to show the Dolphins that he can be a long-term part of their plans.

Last season, Paul ranked 45th out of 89 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, with an overall grade of 66.2. He was much better as a pass blocker, grading out at 74.4, which ranked him 28th overall among tackles. He allowed four sacks and 25 pressures.

Where Paul needs to continue to improve is as a run blocker. He was ranked 63rd out of 89 tackles by PFF in that area, with a run-blocking grade of 58.5.

That will be especially important this season because the Dolphins want to be a physical football team and establish the running game. If Miami is going to successfully run the ball, Paul will need to continue developing and become more consistent up front.

Paul also needs to cut down on his penalties. He was charged with nine penalties last season, and the Dolphins simply cannot afford to give away yards and possessions through penalties and mistakes this year. With Miami short on overall talent, those mistakes could be even more costly.

This season is about more than just Paul improving his individual numbers. It’s about showing the Dolphins that he can be a dependable piece of their future. With a potential contract extension waiting after the season, 2026 is a big opportunity for Patrick Paul to take the next step.

2nd Down: Malik Willis Has Two Years to Prove He Is the Future

The Dolphins are clearly invested in giving Malik Willis every opportunity to succeed.

Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley have shown that they are men of their word. In the past, they stated that De’Von Achane, Aaron Brewer, and Jordyn Brooks were pillars of the Miami Dolphins roster. They quickly backed up those statements by extending all three players.

Sullivan has also said that he wanted to build a team around big, physical players who can perform in any weather. As Sullivan put it, “Fast gets slow, but big doesn’t get small” when playing in cold weather.

Once again, Sullivan stayed true to his word.

During the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami selected strong, physical players such as Kadyn Proctor and Will Kacmarek, who was regarded as one of the best blocking tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Dolphins also selected Chris Bell, who checks in at 6 feet 2 inches and 220 pounds and has drawn comparisons to physical receivers such as A.J. Brown and Deebo Samuel.

So when Sullivan repeatedly says that Malik Willis is not a bridge quarterback, Dolphins fans should pay attention.

Sullivan and Hafley have both made it clear they will do everything they can to help Willis succeed in Miami. That doesn’t guarantee that Willis will become the Dolphins’ quarterback of the future, but it does mean he will receive every opportunity to prove that he can be. Now, it’s up to Willis to take advantage of that opportunity and show the Dolphins they made the right decision.

3rd Down: Which One-Year Free Agent Could Be Back?

What free agent on a one-year deal could make enough of an impact this season to earn another contract with the Dolphins next year?

Most likely? None.

But if you made me pick one player, I would pick Josh Uche.

Uche has the best chance to make an impact because he is expected to play an important role on the edge opposite Chop Robinson. The Dolphins will need production from their pass rush, and Uche has shown in the past that he can get to the quarterback.

The problem is that his last truly productive season came in 2022 with the New England Patriots, when he recorded 11.5 sacks. Since the 2023 season, Uche has totaled just six sacks over three seasons.

That makes Uche a gamble, but one that could pay off for Miami.

Most likely, none of the one-year free agents the Dolphins signed this offseason will be back with the team next year. Miami was essentially bargain-bin shopping this offseason because of the $179.2 million in dead money tied to former players. With that kind of financial burden, it was difficult for the Dolphins to make major investments in free agency.

But if I had to pick one player who could play his way into another contract with the Dolphins, it would be Josh Uche.

If Uche can rediscover the pass-rushing ability he showed in 2022, he could turn a one-year opportunity into another contract in Miami.

Hardcore Miami Dolphins fans probably already know that the team traded for Rams running back Jarquez Hunter in exchange for Tutu Atwell. The question now becomes: Are the Dolphins looking to move Jaylen Wright?

Hunter was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Rams trading up 10 spots to select him. The Dolphins must really like what they see in Hunter, or they aren’t happy with their depth behind De’Von Achane. Either way, another trade could be coming this weekend.