MalikWillis

News: 14 hours agoHead coach Jeff Hafley said he's planning on having Willis play in the Dolphins' preseason opener Friday versus the Commanders, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Spin: Hafley could reverse course and hold Willis out Friday if the signal-caller gets sufficient reps and looks good during Wednesday's joint practice with the Commanders, but as a first-year starter on a new team, it probably wouldn't hurt the 27-year-old to get in some more snaps in the preseason opener. Because Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's scheme includes many concepts similar to the ones Willis learned under Packers head coach and playcaller Matt LaFleur, the quarterback has seemingly had a comfortable transition to Miami and has been building chemistry with his receiving corps through the first two weeks of camp, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The upcoming joint practice will be the first major test Willis has faced this summer, as he's generally received positive reviews during camp practices while matching up against a beleaguered Dolphins defense.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Willis signed with Miami during the offseason and is set to start after two successful seasons backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay. Willis, a 2022 third-round pick, has very little experience (155 career pass attempts), but he was outstanding in limited work the past two seasons, completing 70 of 89 passes for 972 yards, six TDs and zero INTs (12.1 yards per attempt, 86% completion rate), while also adding major value with his legs (42-261-3) during the span. Willis played at least 80% of the snaps in three games with Green Bay and averaged 23.3 fantasy points in those outings. Willis' inexperience makes him risky and the Miami supporting cast is perhaps the worst in the NFL, but his dual-threat ability makes him a very fascinating late-round flier.